I 




written for 
The Deseret Sunday School Union 
By David 0. McKay 

First Assistant General Superintendent 



Published by 
The Deseret Sunday School Union 
Salt Lake City, Utah 
1918 



o 



Copyright 1918 
By Joseph F. Smith 
For the Deseret Sunday School Union 
Salt Lake City, Utah 



FEB 12 19 



i8 



THE A. L. SCOmLE PRESS 

©CI.A492247 

AA^ f 



PREFACE 



"Ancient Apostles" is written as one of the series 
of text books prepared for use in the Sunday Schools 
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its 
purpose is to give a simple account of the leading 
incidents in the lives of the chief Apostles of Christ 
in the Holy Land, with the view of developing faith 
in the hearts of the children in the Principles of the 
Gospel, and in the divine organization of the Church. 

Prominent traits of character in the different dis- 
ciples are pointed out as the circumstances in the 
lessons permit. These should be so emphasized in 
the presentation to the class that the pupils will be 
led not only to appreciate them as commendable and 
emulative, but to realize that by personal exertion all 
these good traits may become theirs. Virtuous and 
honorable actions are the stones by which we build 
the mansion of character. 

Each chapter is planned, also, to emphasize one 
general aim, which should be correlated with the inci- 
dent or incidents with which the personality of the 
Apostle and his companions is associated. Since it 
is difficult, if not impossible to teach morality and 



doctrine without personality, the wise teachers will 
ever keep in mind that the persons, settings, actions, 
and conversations in this little work are only a means 
of teaching truths and principles of conduct that will 
contribute to the moulding of Godlike character in 
their boys and girls. 

The suggestive outlines and aims in the appendix 
are offered as helps and guides to teachers. Only a 
few suggestive applications are offered; but no lesson 
should be given, or even prepared, without the teachers 
attempting, at least, to devise the most efficient means 
of introducing into the children's daily lives the aims 
and ideals taught. 

The sincere wish of the author is that at least part 
of the pleasure experienced in writing these lessons 
may be realized by those who prepare to teach them, 
and by those who read them, and that their studious 
efforts through the blessings of the Lord, will bring 
to them that peace and satisfaction which comes with 
the realization of having helped to make better and 
more efficient the men and women of tomorrow. 



CONTENTS 



PART ONE 



PETER AND HIS ASSOCIATES 

Chapter Page 

I. "Light-Fountains" 1 
II. Early Life and Surroundings 

John the Baptist, Andrew, John 7 

III. A Period of Preparation 

Jesus, James and John, Sons of Zebedee; Andrew 15 

IV. A Special Witness 

Names of the Twelve 24 

V. Peter's Faith Tested 34 

VI. Peter's Testimony 39 
VII. A Marvelous Manifestation 

Moses and Elias 45 

VIII. Lessons in True Leadership 51 

IX. On the Night of the Betrayal 57 

X. Out of Gloom Into Light 66 
XI. A True Leader and Valiant Defender 

Matthias 74 

XII. Peter and John Arrested 80 

XIII. Persecuted but Undismayed 

Gamaliel 85 

XIV. A Special Visit to Samaria 

Stephen, Philip 91 
XV. At Lydda and Joppa 

Eneas, Tabitha 95 

XVI. The Third Imprisonment 102 

XVII. Closing Scenes of a Righteous Ministry 107 

PART TWO 

XVIII. James, the Son of Zebedee 

Salome, Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of Jesus; the 
first martyr. Apostle 113 



PART THREE 



JOHN THE BELOVED DISCIPLE 

Chapter Page 

XIX. With the Redeemer 118 

XX. With Peter and the Twelve 124 

XXL Closing Scenes of His Ministry 129 

PART FOUR 

PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS 

XXIL Saul of Tarsus 

Gamaliel 133 

XXIII. Saul's Conversion 

Ananias 139 

XXIV. In Another School 

Barnabas 144 

XXV. Special Messengers to Jerusalem 

Agabus, John Mark 150 

XXVI. First Missionary Journey 155 

XXVII. First Missionary Journey — Continued 
At Lystia and Derbe 

Timothy, Eunice, Lois 161 
XXVIII. A Great Controversy 166 
XXIX. Paul Begins His Second Missionary Journey 

Silas, Luke 172 

XXX. At Philippi 

Lydia 178 

XXXI. At Thessalonica and Berea 

Jason 185 
XXXII. At Athens and Corinth 

Aquila and Priscilla, Crispus, Justus 191 
XXXIII. Third Missionary Journey 
From Antioch to Ephesus 

Apollos 199 

XXXIV. Third Missionary Journey — Continued 

PauVs farewell visit to churches he had established 206 

XXXV. Exciting Experiences in Jerusalem 212 
XXXVI. Two Years in Prison 219 

XXXVII. The Voyage to Rome 227 
XXXVIII. The World Enriched by a Prisoner Chained 235 
Appendix 242 
Index 271 



Ancient Apostles 

PART ONE— PETER 




LESSON 1 



"LIGHT-FOUNTAINS" 

"No man has come to true greatness who has not felt in some degree 
that his life belongs to his race, and that what God 
gives him He gives him for mankind." 

"If any man seek for greatness, let him forget greatness and ask for 
truth, and he will find both." 

"Nothing can make a man truly great but being truly good, and 
partaking of God's holiness." 



Everybody likes to read and to hear about great 
men. Children, and grown people, too, delight to 

learn how the leaders of men in the past 
GreaTMen^ have made the world better and happier by 

their noble deeds. And when, after many 
years have passed, people still see how much good 
those leaders of men did in the world, worthy aspira- 
tions are awakened, and boys and girls of today desire 
to emulate the lives of these heroes of the past; for, as 
the poet Longfellow says: 

"Lives of great men all remind us 

We can make our lives sublime; 
And, departing, leave behind us 

Footprints on the sands of time." 



2 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



Every boy has somebody who becomes his ideal. 
Or perhaps there are more than one who form this 
B s' Ideals ^^^^^ — man, for instance, might be a 
^ good athlete, and the boy wishes to be just 

like him; another is a good violinist, and the boy feels 
that he, too, would some day like to be a musician; 
another is an able speaker, and the boy desires some 
day to be a great orator. But, sometimes, boys, and 
girls, too, for that matter, choose bad men for their 
ideals. This happens when young folks read trashy 
books or associate with trashy or evil-minded men. 
How unfortunate that little boy is who happens to 
read or to hear about some highwayman or robber, 
and has awakened in his young mind a desire to be 
like that bad man! How unfortunate for the boy who 
chooses for his ideal a man who smokes^ and drinks 
and swaggers through life in idleness! 

Thus we see that the lives of men become sign posts 
to us, pointing the way along roads that lead either to 
Sign Posts ^^^^^ usefulness and happiness or to lives 
of selfishness and misery. It is important, 
then, that we seek, both in life and in books, the com- 
panionship of the best and noblest men and women. 
Carlyle, a great English writer, says that "Great men 
taken up in any way are profitable company. We can- 
not look, however imperfectly, upon a great man, 
without gaining something by him. He is the living 
'light-fountain,' which it is good and pleasant to be 
near." 



"Light-Fountains^^ 



3 



If you will study the lives of these great "light- 
fountains'' of the world, you will learn of at least one 

thinff that has made their names en- 
Secret of Greatness i t • i • i i 

dure. It IS this: bach one has given 

something of his life to make the world better. They 

did not spend all their time seeking only pleasure and 

ease, and a "good time" for themselves alone, but 

found their greatest joy in making others happy and 

more comfortable. All such good deeds live forever, 

even though the world may never hear of them. 

There is an old, old story that a man from another 
planet was permitted to visit this earth. From a high 
mountain peak, he looked down upon the 
^m)eFdXed ^usy towns and cities of the world. Millions 
of men, like ants, were busy building pal- 
aces of pleasure, and other things that would not last. 
As he left to go back, he said, "All these people are 
spending their time in building just birds' nests. No 
wonder they fail and are ashamed." 

All the truly great men of the world have built 
something besides "birds' nests." Out of the deep 

longing of their minds and hearts, they 
Gr^JKetat have brought forth gems of truth that 

have made the world richer. They have 
wrought deeds of love and sacrifice that have inspired 
millions. In so doing, they might have suffered; many 
indeed have met untimely death; but all who thus gave 
their lives, saved them. That which we do for God 
and our fellowmen lives forever; that which we do 
just for ourselves cannot endure. 



4 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



"To have sown in the souls of men 

One thought that will not die — 
To have been a link in the chain of life 

Shall be immortality." 

When we hear anything about a great man we want 
to know everything about him — where he was bom, 
Lincoln parents were, where he lived, how he 

played, with whom he played, in what kind of 
house he lived, where he went in swimming, where he 
fished, etc., etc. Such things about George Washington 
and Abraham Lincoln, for example, are always inter- 
esting. What boy is there who doesn't like to hear 
about the poor boy Lincoln in the little log cabin in 
the backwoods of Indiana ; to picture him there among 
the bears and other wild animals; to picture him sit- 
ting by the fireplace learning to cipher by using a 
piece of charcoal on a wooden shovel because he had 
no slate, no paper or lead pencil! Abraham Lincoln 
was a great and good man, and we want to know every- 
thing about him even when he was a boy, partly to 
help us become somewhat like him; for, as Lincoln 
wrote, 

"Good boys who to their books apply, 
Will all be great men by and by." 

Unfortunately, we know very little about the boy- 
hood days of the Ancient Apostles, about whom we 

shall read in this little book. It is true 
Ap^sis'Zrtod we can partly judge of what kind of 

boys they were by the kind of men they 
became; but the little incidents of childhood and 
youth, which tended to mould their character, and in 



"Light-Fountains 



5 



which we now^ would be so interested, though nineteen 
hundred years have passed, were never written, and 
may never be known. They grew to manhood before 
the opportunity came for them to render that service 
to the world which has made their names immortal. 

In one respect, however, they were the most favored 
men the world has known, because they had the priv- 
^ , ilege of associating daily — almost 

Most Favored Men i ^ i r i i i ir 

hourly, lor about two and one-naii 
years, with the Savior of the world. No wonder, then, 
that they became great, when they had such an ex- 
ample of true Greatness constantly before them. As 
soon as they learned to love Jesus, they desired to be 
like Him, and so remembered His teachings, and tried 
to do as He said. Surely it will be good for us to get 
acquainted with such men. 

Just think! The only reason the world knows any- 
thing about them is because having met the Savior, 
they made Him their guide in life. If they 
AtIkuowu' hadn't, nobody now would know that such 
men had ever lived. They would have 
lived and died and been forgotten just as thousands 
of other men in their day lived and died and nobody 
knows or cares anything about them; just as thousands 
and thousands are living today, wasting their time and 
energy in useless living, choosing the wrong kind of 
men for their ideals, turning their footsteps into the 
road of Pleasure and Indulgence instead of the road 
of Service. Soon they will reach the end of their jour- 
ney in life, and nobody can say that the world is any 



6 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



better for their having lived in it. At the close of each 
day such men leave their pathway as barren as they 
found it — they plant no trees to give shade to others, 
nor rose-bushes to make the world sweeter and 
brighter to those who follow — no kind deeds, no noble 
service — ^just a barren, unfruitful, desert-like path- 
way, strewn, perhaps, with thorns and thistles. 

Not so with the disciples who chose Jesus for their 
Guide. Their lives are like gardens of roses from 
which the world may pluck beautiful flowers forever. 



LESSON 2 



EARLY LIFE AND SURROUNDINGS 

"It is with youth as with plants, from the first fruits they bear we 
learn what may be expected in future." 

Flowing north from Utah Lake through part of the 
Great Basin, and emptying into the Great Salt Lake, 
the Dead Sea of America, is the river 
Jordan. Utah Lake is fresh water 
and abounds in fish; Salt Lake, as 
its name suggests, is so briny that no fish can live in 
its waters. To President Brigham Young and the 
worthy band of Pioneers, the Salt Lake Valley with 
the "Dead Sea'' reflecting the glorious rays of a July 
sun, was indeed a "promised land." 

Away across the Atlantic Ocean, stretching along 
the east shore of the Mediterranean Sea is another salt 

sea, another river Jordan, and another 
IhhMy^Land ^^^sh water lake, and the river flows 

through the "Promised Land," or the 
Land of Canaan. However, if you will refer to a map 
of that country, you will see that the relative positions 
of this lake, river and sea are just opposite in direc- 
tion from these in Utah. In the Holy Land the fresh 
water lake is in the north, and the Jordan river flows 
south into the Dead Sea. 



8 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



The land that contains these three important marks 
in history has several names. As given above, it is 
called The Holy Land; also The Land of Canaan; also 
the Land of the Hebrews, or the Land of Israel, be- 
cause Jacob's children once settled there; also the 
Land of Judah, after one of Jacob's sons; also Pales- 
tine, probably after the Philistines, who lived, as you 
know, in the days of the shepherd boy David. 

Salt Lake is eighty miles long and about forty miles 
wide. The Land of Canaan is about twice as long and 
, ^ twice as wide; or in extreme length about 

bize of Lanaan i i i »i i • • i i 

one hundred seventy miles, and its width 
about eighty. The City of Dan was in the northern 
part, and Beersheba in the southern part; so when you 
hear the expression "from Dan to Beersheba," you 
will know that it once denoted the entire length of the 
land of Canaan. 

The fresh water lake of the Holy Land also has sev- 
eral names. It is known generally as the "Sea of 

Sea of Galilee ^^^^1^^?" ^^^^ called "Sea of 

Tiberias," "Lake of Gennesareth," "Lake 
of Tiberias," and the "Sea of Cenneroth." It is about 
sixteen miles long and six miles wide. "The waters of 
this lake lie in a deep basin, surrounded on all sides 
with lofty hills, excepting only the narrow entrance 
and outlet of the Jordan at each extreme, >k 
The appearance of this sea from! the town of Caper- 
naum, which is situated near the upper end of the bank 
on the western side, is extremely grand; its greatest 
length runs nearly north and south. The barren aspect 



Early Life and Surroundings 9 



of the mountains on each side, and the total absence 
of wood give, however, a cast of dullness to the pic- 
ture, which is increased to melancholy by the dead 
calm of its waters." 

On the west side of this lake was one of the import- 
ant divisions of Palestine, called Galilee. One ancient 
writer says that at one time this province "contained 
two hundred and four cities and towns, the least of 
which contained fifteen thousand inhabitants.""^ 

Somewhere in this province, probably very near 

Capernaum, was a little town called Bethsaida. There 

„ - . , was another town by this name on the north- 
Bethsaida , . . i t> i . i 

eastern snore, but it is the Bethsaida, near 

Capernaum, in which we are now most interested. It 

must have been near the lake, because many of 

the men who lived there made their living by fishing, 

not with poles and hooks and lines, as the boys fish 

for trout in our mountain streams, but with nets, which 

they let down from their boats, and with which they 

dragged the lake until they would entangle the fish, 

which they then hauled to shore. 

In one of these fishermen's homes, probably a few 
years before the Savior's birth, was bom one day, a 
Simon ^^^^^^ baby boy whom his parents named Simon 
or Simeon. He had a brother r imed Andrew.f 
Their father's name was Jonas or Johanna, but very 
little is known about him, and nothing about their 
mother. 

*Josephus. tJohn 1:4243. 



10 Ancient A postles — Peter 



Nothing definite is known about either Simon's 
childhood or his boyhood. However, we are safe to 

conclude from what we know about the 
SbJw^ customs, beliefs, and practices of the Jews 

of his time that he lived in a small, flat- 
roofed house containing very little, if any, furniture; 
that either at home or at school, perhaps at both, he 
learned all about the prophets in what is now our Old 
Testament; that he observed the Sabbath day strictly; 
and what is most important of all, he learned to look 
forward to the day when the Savior of the world would 
come to His people. 

In fancy, we can picture Simon and Andrew and 
their playmates amusing themselves on the shore of 
Galilee; but it is only in imagination that we can see 
any of the incidents in Simon's childhood. 'We may 
think of him," writes George L. Weed, ''as a useful 
boy, helping his mother in the labors of the house — 
carefully bringing the little red clay lamps for trim- 
ming, or the com to be parched, or the fish his father 
had caught, or the charcoal on which it was to be 
cooked, or the bread from the oven, and the oil and 
honey-cakes to be eaten with it, or water from the 
stream that flowed from the hill behind their home 
into the lake, or filling the water- jars at the door. Was 
he not his mother's joy when for the first time he shook 
the olives from the trees and brought them to her as a 
part of their frugal meal; or when he spread the maize 
and hemp to dry on the flat roof in the summer sun? 
Was he not his father's pride the first time he handled 




Christ and John 



Early Life and Surroundings 



11 



the oar, and dipped it aright in the wave, and helped 
to spread the net, and counted the fish they had 
caught? He watched the flight of the sparrows and 
gathered the flowers — poppies, daisies and anemones 
— like those from which the Great Teacher, whom now 
he knew not, would teach him lessons of wisdom and 
love. Childlike, he gathered shells upon the seashore, 
and dug in the white sand of the beach with a rude 
stick, with delight equal to that of the boy of today 
with his finished toy-shovel and little painted pail." 

None of the fishermen who saw Simon with his 
playmates scampering around the nets and boats ever 
suspected that he would grow up to be among the 
greatest men of the world! 

Some writers tell us that the Galileans were gen- 
erally brave and fearless, and loved liberty. The men 
made good soldiers for they were ^'bold and intrepid." 
The boy, Simon, as he grew to manhood must have 
admired the brave, bold men around him, for he, too, 
became a man of strong character, as we learn from 
the first recorded instance of his life. 

Simon's Name Changed 

Soon after Simon had grown to manhood there 
came a man from the wilderness of Jordan, clothed 
only in camel's hair and a leathern 

f^rtSaptist g^.^^l^ ^^^^} l^inS' preaching 
with such mighty power that people from 
"Judea and all the regions round about" came to hear 
him. This great preacher was John the Baptist, the 



12 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



forerunner of Christ. Among those who came to hear 
him was Simon, who, no doubt, rejoiced to hear this 
preacher of Repentance declare that the Son of Man 
was about to come to the earth. Simon, Andrew and 
some of their friends believed what the Baptist taught. 

One day, when, with some of his followers, John 
was near Bethabara (a word which means "a, place of 
crossing") he saw Jesus coming toward them, and 
said : 

"Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin 
of the world! This is He of whom I said. After me 
cometh a man who is preferred before 

''Behold the ^^j^ 
Lamb of God'' 

Again, the next day, probably about 10 
o'clock in the morning, John was standing talking with 
two of his disciples. They were Andrew, Simon's 
brother, and John. Walking a short distance from 
them was the same man whom John had pointed out 
the day before as the Lamb of God. ''And looking 
upon Jesus as He walked, John saith. Behold the Lamb 
of God. And the two disciples heard him speak, and 
they followed Jesus." 

Accepting the invitation of Jesus to go with Him 
to the place where He stayed, these two men remained 

with Him, listening to His words all the 
BZ^:^njeZs rest of the day. When they left, they 

believed that Jesus was the King of 
Israel, the Savior of the world. Thus they became, in 
that day the first two, beside John the Baptist, to be- 
lieve in Jesus. 



Early Life and Surroundings 



13 



Whenever we have anything which is really good, 
we always desire to share it with one we love. It was 
so with these two brothers. They no sooner felt the 
divine influence that radiated from the Savior than 
they were filled with a desire to bring those whom 
they loved under that same influence. Andrew went 
out to find his brother Simon, and John to find his 
brother James. Andrew found Simon first, and said: 

^'We have found the Messiah, which is, being inter- 
preted, the Christ." 

And he brought him to Jesus, and when Jesus be- 
held him, He said, "Thou art Simon, the son of Jona: 
thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by 
CdlZ -Cephas- interpretation, a stone" (or The Rock). 

In those days the Jews spoke the He- 
brew language; but the new Testament was written in 
the Greek language. Now, in Hebrew "Cephas" means 
"rock;" but in Greek the word for "rock" is "Petras," 
or "Peter." So from that time, Simon was known as 
Simon Peter, or "Simon, the Rock." 

When we think of this wonderful world in which we 
live, of its great division of land called continents; 
that in the eastern continent there are the countries of 
Europe, Asia, and Africa; that in one little comer of 
Asia, there is a strip of land only about twice as long 
and twice as wide as our Salt Lake; that in that strip 
of land was a division, like one of our counties, called 
Galilee; that in this province were over two hundred 
cities, and in each city several thousand people, 
among whom one day was bom a little baby whose 



14 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



parents were unknown; that this baby boy grew to be 
a man of such strong character that Jesus named him 
"a Rock," and for nineteen hundred years now he has 
been known and honored by millions and millions of 
people — ^when we think of all these things we must 
surely realize, even in our youth, that a humble birth 
is no hindrance to greatness. 



LESSON 3 



A PERIOD OF PREPARATION 

"OA, be my friend, and teach me to be thine" 

"Great souls by instinct to each other turn, 
Demand alliance, and in friendship bum." 

Home in Capernaum 

From the moment Peter met Jesus, his views of life 
were changed. Up to that time, he had looked for the 
coming of the King of the Jews as an 
otthVMessiah ^vcnt in the indefinite future. With other 
Jews, he had anticipated that the Savior's 
coming would be marked by wonderful manifesta- 
tions, and that, clad in purple robes, and attended by 
many angels, he would come in mighty power, and in 
one divine expression of His wrath, strike the Roman 
shackles from the conquered Jewish nation. 

But now, Peter had met the Messiah — a lone man 
on the banks of the Jordan! Only about five men knew 
of His claim to the Messiahship. There were no legions 
of heavenly hosts accompanying Him! He wore no 
purple robes! He possessed no visible means at hand 
with which to break the Roman yoke! Was He, in- 
deed, the Messiah that was to come, or should Peter 
look for another? 



16 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



These and a hundred other thoughts, undoubtedly 
crowded Peter's mind, as he left the wilderness of 
Jordan to return to his fishing in Gali- 
olefpeuT'"''^ lee. Andrew and John, on that memor- 
able visit, seemed to have received a tes- 
timony of the divinity of Jesus' mission, and they 
bore that testimony to their brothers when they so joy- 
ously exclaimed, "We have found the Messiah!" But 
Peter — impetuous Peter, who, we shall learn, was nat- 
urally outspoken, had not yet so far as we know, ex- 
pressed such assurance. However, he was deeply im- 
pressed; for had not Jesus, at first sight, read his char- 
acter? Had He not penetrated into his inmost nature? 
and had He not radiated a spirit that so completely en- 
veloped Peter that from its influence the fisherman 
never more desired to go? 

Peter at this time was a married man, and was per- 
haps the father of a little boy. He had moved from 
, „ his old home in Bethsaida, and lived with 

refer s Home , , •ii* 

his wiie s mother, or she with nim, m 
Capernaum. With him were also Andrew and their 
two faithful companions and friends, James and John, 
the sons of Zebedee. 

Peter's home became the most distinguished 
home in all Capernaum, and later one of the most 
memorable spots in all the world. Here, undoubtedly, 
Jesus stayed whenever He was at Capernaum! Indeed 
after Jesus had been so ruthlessly rejected by His own 
townsmen in Nazareth, He made Capernaum His "own 
city;" and it is supposed that much of the time, the 



A Period of Preparation 



17 



honor fell upon Peter to entertain in his home the 
Savior of the world. How every word, every act on 
the part of his worthy guest must surely have in- 
creased Peter's confidence in Jesus as the Messiah! 

A Lesson in Obedience 

One beautiful morning, several months after the 
events narrated in the previous lesson, and a short 
^ ^, time following His reiection from 

On bhores of CraliLee , t *' , . 

iNazaretn, Jesus was preaching to a 
multitude on the shores of Galilee. Peter and Andrew 
were busy near-by washing their nets, after having 
spent all night on the lake in a futile attempt to catch 
some fish. 

"And it came to pass, that as the people pressed 
upon Jesus to hear the word of God, He stood by the 
lake of Gennesaret. 

"And saw two ships standing by the lake, but the 
fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing 
their nets. 

"And He entered into one of the ships, which was 
Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a 
little from the land. And He sat down and taught the 
people out of the ship.""^ 

When Peter complied with Jesus' request "to thrust 
out a little from the land," he performed the first re- 
First Recorded corded instance of his obedience to 
Instance of Christ's word. Now, however, followed 
Peter s Obedience ^ command obedience to which was di- 
rectly contrary to the fisherman's judgment. When 
*Luke 5:3. 



18 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



Jesus had finished speaking to the people, He said 
to Peter, 

' 'Launch out into the deep and let down your net 
for a draught." The leaves and dirt had all been 
picked from the empty net; it was dry, and the broken 
threads mended. Peter was tired and wanted rest. He 
was hungry, too, and perhaps discouraged. No won- 
der, then, that Peter answered and said, "Master, we 
have toiled all night, and have taken nothing." As 
much as to say, ''What is the use? There are no fish 
this morning in this part of the lake, nor has there 
been all night!" But Peter was learning to honor and 
obey this Man among men ; so he quickly added these 
words: "Nevertheless at Thy word^ I will let down the 
net."^ 

As an experienced fisherman, his judgment said to 
make a further attempt was useless; as a follower of 
Jesus, his Faith bade him try. 

"And when they had thus done, they enclosed a 
great multitude of fishes: and their net brake." And 
„ , , ^, they beckoned to their partners which 

Hesult of Obedience . , , i • i i i i i 

were m the other ship that they should 
come and help them. And they came, and filled both 
ships so that they began to sink." 

We are told that, "Peter was astonished and all that 
were with him at the draught of the fishes which they 
had taken." Peter, the leader of the four as he was 
afterwards the head of the Twelve, "Fell down at 

*Luke 5:5. 



A Period of Preparation 



19 



Jesus' knees, saying, depart from me; for I am a sin- 
ful man, Lord."^ 

Was it just the doubt and hesitancy expressed when, 
a few minutes before, Jesus had asked him to "push 
out into the deep," or was it the realization of many 
such doubts of Christ's divinity that now overwhelmed 
him, and made him sense his own inferiority and 
weakness in the presence of this Mighty One? Jesus 
had manifested His power, and in so doing had taught 
Peter the lesson that he and all the world, sooner or 
later, must learn; viz., that obedience to Christ's words 
brings blessings, temporal as well as spiritual. As the 
realization of this truth was pouring balm on his awe- 
struck feelings, Jesus said unto him, "Fear not; from 
henceforth thou shalt catch men/^f 

A Memorable Sabbath^ 

After Jesus had been rejected from His own city, 
Nazareth, He "Came down to Capernaum, and taught 
them on the Sabbath day." 

The last part of a service in the synagogue in those 
days was the expounding of the scriptures, and preach- 
e . . c ii^g from them to the people. This 

Service m Synagogue ^ , , i m i 

was done not always by an omcer but 
by some distinguished person who might be in the 
congregation. Of course, Jesus was known all around 
by this time as a great teacher, a worker of miracles, 

*Liike5:8. fLuke 5:10. JLuke 4:31-40 



20 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



and an able interpreter of the law; and, "they were 
astonished at His doctrine for His word was with 
power." 

On one particular Sabbath, when Jesus was preach- 
ing, Peter and all present were surprised to see a man 
rise in the audience, and suddenly inter- 
SpiHt Rebuked ^y crying out in a loud voice, 

"Let us alone; what have we to do with 
Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to 
destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art; the Holy One 
of God." As this man, who was possessed of an evil 
spirit, ceased his railing, each person in the congre- 
gation must have almost held his breath, as Jesus re- 
buked the evil one by saying, 

"Hold thy peace and come out of him. And when 
the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of 
him, and hurt him not 

"And they were all amazed, and spake among them- 
selves saying. What a word is this! for with authority 
and power. He commandeth the unclean spirits and 
they come out.""*" 

At the conclusion of this service, Jesus went with 
Peter to the latter's home, Andrew, and James and 
John accompanying them. Peter, An- 
S'iSef drew, James and John— these four who 
were playmates in boyhood, partners as 
fishermen, companions as disciples of John the Bap- 
tist, are now becoming inseparable in the loving bonds 
of the Brotherhood of Christ 1 As they entered the 

*Luke 4:36. 



A Period of Preparation 



21 



house, they learned that Simon's wife's mother was 
very sick of fever. Undoubtedly, it was Peter who told 
Jesus of his mother-in-law's condition, and pleaded, 
either by word or look, or both, that He would bless 
her. Jesus "took her by the hand and lifted her up; 
and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered 
unto them." 

You can imagine that all Capernaum was talking 
about how Jesus had rebuked the evil spirit from the 
afflicted man in the synagogue! And then, a few min- 
utes after the service, He healed a woman instantly of 
a fever! The news spread from house to house, and 
from group to group until "the fame of Him went out 
into every place of the country round about." 

All that afternoon, Peter's house and the streets 
around it were packed with crowds of people, some 
rj J , out of curiosity but most of them desiring 
a blessing. Men possessed oi devils were 
taken through the crowd to Jesus and were cured; 
those who had been suffering for days of a burning 
fever, those who were afflicted with various kinds of 
diseases, were all brought into the presence of this 
Great Physician, who "Laid His hands on everyone 
of them, and healed them." 

The sun went down, twilight came, and evening 
shades began to deepen into night, but still the sick 
and suffering sought that divine 
SSLS healing which only Christ the Lord 
could give. "Never," says Eider- 
sheim, "Never, surely, was He more truly the Christ 



22 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



than when, in the stillness of that evening, He went 
through that suffering throng laying His hands in the 
blessing of healing upon every one of them, and cast- 
ing out many devils." 

It was probably late that night before Jesus could 
go to His rest. Even later, after the people had gone 
to their now happier homes, Peter and his household 
would desire to talk to their honored guest about the 
wonderful miracles of that day. At length, however, 
all retired, and everybody in the house slept as the 
midnight hours of that never-to-be-forgotten Sabbath 
passed into the early morning hours of Sunday. 

Another Week of Preparation 

Before daylight came, however, Jesus arose quietly, 
^ , . and walked out into the morning air, 

Sunday Morning , • ^ 66 99 i i 

sought a quiet, solitary place, and 

there prayed. 

"His pure thoughts were borne 
Like fumes of sacred incense o'er the clouds, 
And wafted them on angels' wings, to ways 
Of light, to the bright source of all." 

Peter must have been surprised when upon going 
to greet Jesus with a bright "Good-morning," he found 
the guest-chamber empty. Perhaps he guessed where 
Jesus had gone; for we are told that, "Simon and they 
that were with him followed after Him. And when 
they had found Him, they said unto Him, 

''All men seek TheeT 



A Period of Preparation 



23 



What a glorious condition will be in this old world 
when it can be truthfully said to Christ, 

''All men seek TheeF' 
SelkThee' Selfishness, envy, hatred, lying, stealing, 
cheating, disobedience to parents, cruelty to 
children and to dumb animals, quarreling among 
neighbors, and fighting among nations — all will be no 
more when it can be truthfully said to the Redeemer of 
mankind, 

''All men seek Theer^ 
It seems that Jesus and His friends left Capernaum 
that day, and "Preached in synagogues throughout all 
,^ Galilee, and cast out devils." Wherever 

Around Galilee , i • i i i i i i 

they went the sick were healed, and the 
lepers were cleansed. Some days afterwards, they re- 
turned to Capernaum. No sooner did the people learn 
that Jesus was in "the house" (undoubtedly Peter's 
house) than "Straightway many were gathered to- 
gether, insomuch that there was no room to receive 
them, no, not so much as about the door: and He 
preached the word unto them." 

It was on this occasion that four men brought a man 
sick of palsy. The poor man lay on his bed, each 

corner of which was held by one of the four 
of^dsy^^^ men. Finding it impossible "because of the 

crowd to gain entrance to the house by the 
door, they went on the roof. Here they made an open- 
ing into the room below, "And let down the bed where- 
in the sick of the palsy lay." 

"When Jesus saw their faith. He said unto the sick 
of palsy. Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 



24 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



"And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and 
went forth before them all; insomuch that they were 
all amazed, and glorified God, saying. We never saw 
it on this fashion." All these glorious manifestations 
of divine power, and, undoubtedly, many, many more, 
Jesus had given even before He chose His Twelve 
Apostles. 

Peter, as you see, was a witness of them all. If he 
had had any doubts a few months previous, when his 

brother Andrew said, "We have found the 
iTeZlTned Messiah," surely they had long since been 

banished from his mind; and we can read- 
ily understand why, when Jesus said, "Henceforth 
thou shalt catch men," Peter "forsook all and followed 
Him." 

But even yet, notwithstanding all his experiences, 
Simon's faith is not the Rock that Jesus would have 
it become. 



LESSON 4 



A SPECIAL WITNESS 

"The Twelve traveling counselors are called to be the Twelve 
Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world." 

Probably several months after the events narrated 
in the previous chapter and a little while before the 
Feast of the Passover, Jesus went out to a mountain 
, , , „ near Capernaum. As was usual, now, 

A Night of Prayer . tj. vr i j r n j 

m His liie, a large crowd loilowed 
Him. But He left the crowd, and went to the top of die 
mountain, so he could be all alone with His Father in 
Heaven, unto whom He prayed all night. 

Undoubtedly, many of his most ardent followers 
remained at the mountain also all night, for 

, ^, "When it was day. He called unto Him 

iwelve Chosen ^t* t»i iri tt i 

His disciples, and oi them He chose 
twelve, whom also He named apostles."* 

Hie word Apostle means an "Envoy" or "one who 
is sent." An apostle is a "Special witness of the name 
of Christ in all the world." 

In all the accounts given of this important event, 
Peter's name is mentioned first, indicating that he was 
chosen as the chief apostle, and was undoubtedly ap- 
pointed and set apart as the President of the Council 

♦Luke 6:13. 



26 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



of Twelve. The names of the Twelve whom Jesus or- 
dained at that time were: 

(1) Simon Peter, and his brother (2) Andrew; (3) 
James and (4) John, the two sons of Zebedee; (5) 
Philip of Bethsaida, and (6) Nathanael, also called 
Bartholomew; (7) Thomas, also called "Didymus," a 
name which means "a twin;" (8) Matthew, the publi- 
can, or tax gatherer; (9) James, the son of Alphaeus, 
called "James the Less;" (10) Lebbeus, who was also 
called Thaddeus, and also Judas, but not Judas Iscar- 
iot; (11) Simon, the "Canaanite," or "Simon the 
Zelotes," and (12) Judas Iscariot, who became the 
traitor. 

These twelve men were, for the most part, Galilean 
fishermen who labored at their trade on the shores of 
Galilee. Matthew, however, was a public- 
Twelle^fFere therefore despised by the Jews; 

and Judas was a Judean. Some of the lead- 
ers of the Jews thought that they were "unlearned and 
ignorant men."^ "Unlearned they were; but not ig- 
norant; for by their wisdom and preaching, they over- 
threw the whole edifice of human wisdom, and led 
the world to the light of truth." 

As a humble disciple of Jesus, Peter had been a 
"witness" of many wonderful things pertaining to the 
Savior's mission; but it was difficult for him to com- 
prehend the significance of the Gospel plan. You 
will note as we proceed with his biography that his un- 
derstanding of it unfolded slowly, even though he was 

*Act8 4:13. 



St. Matthew 



A Special Witness 



27 



almost constantly, for the next year or so, in the pres- 
ence of his Lord. Here are some of the things which 
he witnessed immediately after his ordination to the 
Apostleship. 

At Matthew's Feast 

One day Jesus and the Twelve accepted an invita- 
tion to Matthew's house, a circumstance that made the 
Pharisees much offended because Jesus ate "with pub- 
licans and the sinners. While Jesus and the Twelve 
were still at the feast, and Jesus was answering the 
charge of the Pharisees, 

"Behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the Syn- 
Jairus ^S^S^^' Jairus, by name; and when he saw 
him, he fell at his feet, and besought him 
greatly saying, 

"My little daughter lieth at the point of death; I 
pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she 
may be healed, and she shall live.""^ 

Jesus immediately left the pleasures of the feast 
and of the entertainment of his friend and brother, 
Matthew, and followed Jairus to the latter's house. 

The Afflicted Woman 
"And much people followed him, and thronged 
him."t In this crowd was a woman who 
Faith of an had been suffering for twelve years 
A fflicted W oman {xom a sore that could not be healed. 
The blood had wasted for so long a time that she was 
weak, and she was very poor, for "she had spent all 

*Mark 5:22-23. 
tM^rk 5:24. 



28 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



she had" trying to get cured. She had heard of Jesus 
and of His power to heal the sick, and she had such 
faith that she said to herself, "If I may touch but his 
clodies, I shall be made whole." 

As Jesus passed, she stretched forth her hand and 
touched just the hem of his garment, "and straight- 
way the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she 
felt in her body that she was healed of that plague." 

Jesus, too, immediately feeling that "Virtue" had 
gone out of him, turned and asked, "Who touched my 
clothes?" Peter answered, "Master, the multitude 
throng and press thee and sayest thou, 
lyalrJ^'' 'Who touched me?' "* 

What an insight must Peter have re- 
ceived into Christ's divine powers and susceptibility as 
he noted the afflicted woman come through the crowd 
and throw herself at the feet of Jesus, confessing all 
before him! What satisfaction must have been his, as 
he heard his Lord say, "Daughter, thy faith hath made 
thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy 
plague."f But Peter was soon to witness even a 
greater miracle. 

Jairus' Little Daughter 

While Jesus was yet speaking to the now blessed 
and happy woman, and while Peter and his fellow 

councilmen and the multitude gazed in 
Jainu^ Daughter ^^^der, "there Cometh one from the 

ruler of the Synagogue's house, saying 

♦Luke 8:45. 
tMark 5:34. 



A Special Witness 



29 



to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the 
Master.' " 

Poor Jairus! He had hurried from the bedside of 
his little girl only a half hour or so ago to plead with 
Jesus of Nazarath to come and save his little daugh- 
ter. The Divine Physician had started immediately, 
but it was too late. The great destroyer, Death, had 
claimed the little girl. Peter's heart must have ached 
in sympathy for the sorrowing father. But, listen! Fol- 
lowing the gloomy announcement of death, they hear 
the comforting voice of Jesus: "Fear not; believe 
only, and she shall be made whole." 

As they neared the house, they heard the weeping 
of friends and the moans of the broken-hearted 
mother. But Peter, and others, too, 
ilTore?"^^''' heard the Master say, "Weep not, she 
is not dead, but sleepeth." And they 
laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead."* 
The Savior then told everybody to leave the room ex- 
cepting Peter, James, and John, the father and the 
mother. He then walked up to the bed, took the little 
cold white hand in his, and said, 

"Maid, arise." 

"And her spirit came again, and she arose straight- 
way; and he commanded to give her meat." 

These incidents in the life of Peter are only a few 
of the glorious experiences he witnessed even before 
he went out as "a special witness of the name of 

♦Luke 8:53. 



30 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



Christ." Jesus knew that neither Peter nor anybody 
else could convert others to the truth until he him- 
self first knew that truth. No one can teach others 
what he himself does not know. Undoubtedly by this 
time Peter believed, with all his heart, that Jesus the 
Worker of Wonders, was indeed the Messiah who 
should come; but his testimony was not yet firm as 
a rock. 

Peter's First Mission 

However, the time had come when he was sufficient- 
ly instructed to be able to go on a mission, ^'And Jesus 
called imto Him the Twelve, and began to send them 
forth by two and two;""^ 

"And commanded them saying. Go not into the 
way of the Gentiles, and into any cit>" of the Samari- 
r, , r • • t^i^s enter ye not: But go ratlier to tlie 

reter s Commission , , r i i r r i % 

lost sheep oi the house oi Israel, and 
as ye go preach, saying. The kingdom of heaven is at 
hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, 
cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely 
give."t 

He told them to travel without money and without 
extra coats, and to carry blessings and peace to all who 
would receive them. He told tliem diey would be 
persecuted, arrested and tried before governors and 
kings; but He assured them that the Lord would de- 
liver them. 

*Mark 6. 
tMatt. 10:5-42, 



A Special Witness 



31 



He further said that, "Whosoever shall not receive 
you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that 
house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I 
say unto you. It shall be more tolerable for the land 
of Sodom and Gomorra in the day of judgment than 
for that city." 

"He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that 
receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me. And who- 
soever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones 
a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, 
verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his 
reward." 

We do not know who Peter's companion was on 
this mission; but we are told that they went and 
preached that men should repent; that they cast out 
many devils, anointed with oil, and healed the sick, 
and did many other wonderful things in the name of 

Jesus of Nazareth. 
BaptSi^eheaded While they Were on this mission, John 

the Baptist was beheaded by order of 
the wicked king Herod. 

Upon their return unto Jesus, "The Apostles gath- 
ered themselves together (probably at Capernaum) 
and told Him all things, both what they had done, and 
what they had taught." But there were so many peo- 
ple "coming and going" that "they 
Opp^suT^^^^ had no leisure so much as to eat;" so 
Jesus, desiring to be alone with the 
Twelve said, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert 



32 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



place, and rest awhile." So they entered a ship pri- 
vately and sailed from the Capernaum side to the 
northwest coast. But some of the people saw them 
departing and ran on foot around the northern coast 
of the lake. Other people saw these running, and 
joined them so that when Jesus and the Twelve landed, 
there were hundreds if not thousands of people there 
to greet them. 

As evening approached, the disciples asked Jesus 
to send the multitude away, so they could go to their 
cities and buy something to eat. 

It was on this occasion that Peter witnessed an- 
other manifestation of the power of God, and had re- 
peated the valuable lesson he learned over 
ilanihstation ^ Y^^r before, when he made a miraculous 
draught of fishes; viz.. That obedience to 
Christ's words always brings comfort and happiness. 
Instead of sending the multitude away hungry, Jesus 
said, "Whence shall we buy bread that these might 
eat?" 

Philip answered, "Two hundred pennyworth of 
bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them 
may take a little." But from five barley 

The Multitude j^^^^^ g^^jj g^j^^g^ j^^^^^ j^y 

some process natural to Him but miracu- 
lous to us, fed that vast crowd of people, numbering 
about five thousand. 

Peter assisted not only in distributing the bread 
and fish among the companies, but also in gathering 



A Special Witness 



33 



the twelve baskets full left. No doubt he was one of 
those who said, "This is of a truth that Prophet that 
should come into the world." Let us hope, however, 
that he was not one of those who would have taken 
Jesus by force to make Him king. 



LESSON 5 



PETER'S FAITH TESTED 



"The steps of faith fall on the seeming void, hut find the rock beneath'* 
"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen'' 



When Jesus called Simon "Peter" or "The Rock/' 
he undoubtedly expressed in that name one character- 
^ . r . , istic which He desired to see in the faith 

(xenume r aith r tt' t • i i * i i • i 

01 His disciples, and particularly m each 
of His Apostles. He desired them to possess a faith 
that was unwavering, — a faith that would make them 
steadfast in the truth regardless of miracles or the acts 
of men — a faith that would trust the Lord at all times 
and under all circumstances, let those times and cir- 
cumstances be what they may. Jesus knew that the 
Jews were easily influenced ; that a miracle performed 
today might awaken a feeling in them that He was the 
king for whom they had been waiting, and that a truth 
taught tomorrow might arouse in them a feeling that 
he was an imposter. He wanted to lead them 
to God and to his Gospel. He longed to have 
them comprehend the truths of life so they would 
live them after He was gone from their midst. 



Peter s Faith Tested 



35 



Imagine, then, how grieved He must have been 
when, after the miracle mentioned in the last chapter, 
Jesus Grieved P^opl^ arose and hailed him king and 
thought by offering Him the bauble of an 
empty crown, they were doing Him honor! He did 
not want them to honor Him. His desire was for them 
to see the power of God, and believe in His divine 
truth. 

Desiring to be alone once more with His Father, not 
wanting the company even of the three chief apostles, 
Peter, James and John, Jesus dismissed the multitude, 
told the Twelve to get into the ship and sail back to 
Capernaum, and He retired to a solitary place to pray. 

A Tempestuous Sea 

During the night, while Jesus was yet praying, a 
great storm arose, which stirred the lake into a seeth- 
A Storm ^^^s of biUows. From the mountain Jesus 
could see His disciples battling with the sea, 
but unable to make much headway, although they 
could not see Him. 

When the ship was about thirty furlongs (four 
miles) from the shore, Jesus decided to go into it. It 
was now past midnight, and the disciples were still 
struggling in the midst of the heaving sea. 

Imagine their fear when through the darkness they 
saw an object coming towards them on the waves! 

And when someone cried out, "It's a 
Jesmonthe gpij^itj- ^hey were more frightened than 
ever. 



36 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



"But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be 
of good cheer; It is I; be not afraid." 

At once, Peter spoke out, saying, "Lord, if it be 
thou, bid me come unto thee on the water."^ 
, ^ . , "Come," said Jesus. 

reter s t aith . i i -r* i r i 

And when reter was come down out oi the 
ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." 

Peter, firm in belief and strong in determination, 
when your eye sees only the majesty of faith and the 
perfect manifestation of its power! Mighty and fear- 
less when your eye sees only the glory of God, and 
your soul cries out to go to Him! 
„. ^ , But when you see "the wind boisterous," 

His Doubt r . 1 1 1 • • • 1 

you are airaid; and begmnmg to sink, cry, 
saying, Tord, save me.' " 

So it is in life: when the winds of temptation and 
the waves of despair beat upon us, the eye of faith is 
turned more upon these raging elements than upon 
the Light of Life, the power of faith is thus weakened, 
and as Peter, we begin to sink. Too many, ah, too 
many go down beneath the billows; only a few cry 
out as he, "Lord, save us!" 

"And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, 
and caught him, and said unto him, "0, thou of little 
faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" 

Another Test 
Next morning, the people in Capernaum who knew 

♦Matt. 14:28. 



Peter s Faith Tested 



37 



that Peter and the other disciples had left the opposite 
, ^ shore without Jesus, were very much as- 

In Capernaum . i i tt« • i • • i i 

tonisned to see nim m their midst, and 

said, "Rabbi, when comest thou hither?" 

"Ye seek me," answered Jesus, "not because ye saw 
the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and 
were filled." 

"Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for 
that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which 
the Son of Man shall give unto you.""^ 

He then delivered the famous sermon on the Bread 
of Life, part of which, as John remembered it, is re- 
corded in John the sixth chapter. There 
IreaJo/li/t^ Were so many things spoken which the 
Jews could not understand, because of 
their prejudice, that they first became confused, then 
angry, and finally much offended. Those who had only 
a little faith, became influenced by the murmuring 
crowd, and said, "We don't believe this man is the 
Son of God." Even some of His disciples turned 
away from the Truth, and "walked no more with 
Him." 

The mass of angry men and women became much 

like the heaving sea that tossed the disciples the even- 
ing before. The winds of ridicule and the 

byDoubt^^^ waves of discontent beat against the wav- 
ering disciples. As they looked upon these 

angry elements of human passion, their faith in Christ 

weakened, and they "began to sink." 

*John 6:25-27, 



38 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



In vain, Jesus testified, "It is I, the Son of man!" 
They would not listen to Him, for He was to them only 

the son of Joseph the carpenter. As group 
{oThliZllfe after group turned their backs upon Him, 

He turned to the Twelve and said, "Will ye 
also go away?" 

Again it was Peter who broke the silence. With 
the others, he had looked at the noisy crowd, with the 
„ , . others he had listened to the angry words 

Peter s Answer i.T%/r ti «i r 

hurled at their Master. In the midst oi 
this sea of human passion, shall he say, "Lord, if it 
be thee, bid me come unto thee?" 

As if he wavered just a little, as if his faith had not 
yet become as firm as Jesus would have it become, he 
answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the 
words of eternal life." 

Then, as his assurance became stronger and his 
thoughts turned from the apostate crowd, he added, 
"And we believe — and are sure that thou 
SkSSe are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

Though there came not from Jesus' 
lips, at this time, the word "Blessed," yet, undoubted- 
ly. He was gratified indeed to see the wavering faith 
of His disciples become steadfast in the heart of His 
Apostles, as if they would say, 

"Then come the wild weather, come sleet or come snow. 

We will stand by each other, however it blow. 

Oppression and sickness, and sorrow, and pain 

Shall be to our true love as links in a chain." 1 



LESSON 6 



PETER'S TESTIMONY 

Very soon after the people of Capernaum rejected 
the Savior, as narrated in the previous chapter, Jesus 

took His Twelve disciples westward across 
anisidon Galilee into the land of Tyre and Sidon, near 

the Mediterranean Sea. He desired to be 
alone with the Twelve that He might teach them many 
things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and thus 
prepare them for carrying on the work, after He 
should leave them. 

There were many things happened on this tour 
which must have made it a memorable one to Peter 
and the other members of the Twelve. First, there 
was the Gentile woman who sought Jesus, and im- 
plored Him to come and heal her little daughter. 

Because she did not belong to the Jewish race, the 
disciples said: ''Master, send this woman away, for 
she is a trouble to us, crying out after 

A Syro-Phoenician 99 
fFoman 

Of course, they thought then, and a 
long time afterwards, that the Gospel was only for the 
Jews. But Jesus taught them that He loved the Gen- 
tile woman just as well as He did the Jews. But Peter 
did not fully understand. 



40 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



From the coast of Tyre and Sidon, they traveled 
around Galilee and came to the east side of the Sea 
of Galilee. Here the disciples witnessed fur- 
Miractes manifestations of the power of Jesus. A 
deaf man who could not speak plainly was 
made to hear and to speak; and when the people heard 
about it, they followed Jesus and the Twelve out of 
the village into "a desert place." 

Again Peter saw a multitude of people fed; 
this time from only seven loaves and a few small 
fishes. 

It would seem that after all these months with the 
Savior — hearing His parables, seeing His miracles, 
feeling His spirit and receiving His teachings daily, 
the apostles would surely understand the mission 
of the Redeemer. 

But we read that after these "four thousand men 
besides women and children" were fed, the disciples 

entered with Jesus into a boat and rowed 
£LSfo^ across to the west side of the lake. Here 

they met some Pharisees and Sadducees 
who began to oppose Jesus. When He and the Twelve 
were alone again, He said: "Take heed and beware 
of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Saducees." 

You know what Jesus meant when He said this ; but 
the disciples said to themselves, "He says this 'be- 
cause we have brought no bread.' " 

When Jesus saw that they did not comprehend Him, 
He said: "How is it that ye do not understand that I 



Peter s Testimony 



41 



spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should 
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sad- 
ducees?" 

"Then understood they how that He bade them not 
beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of 
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.""^ 

Undoubtedly, tliere were several among them whose 
testimony was becoming firm and unwavering. At 
any rate, we learn that just a few days later, the chief 
apostle gave evidence in w^ords that could not be mis- 
understood, of his sure conviction that Christ was in- 
deed the Son of the Living God. 

They had gone northward to Caesarea Philippi at 
the foot of Mount Hermon. Here, Jesus, one day, 

asked His disciples this question: 
Slnr""''' "^T^o do men say that I, the Son of 

man, am?" 

They answered, ''Some say thou art John the Bap- 
tist. Some say thou art Elias, and others, Jeremias, or 
one of the prophets." 

Then Jesus said, "But who say ye that I am?" 

Simon Peter answered, 

"Thou art the Christy the Son of the Living God.'' 
There is no hesitancy now, no fear, no wavering, no 
"we believe and are sure;" but the unqualified and 
direct expression of a soul convinced of the truth: 
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." 
''Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona," said Jesus, "for 

*Matt. 16:1-12. 



42 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but 
my Father which is in heaven.""^ 

At last Jesus discovers the assurance in Peter for 
which He has been laboring many months to develop. 
He now knows that Peter's spirit has received divine 
assurance that all these miracles and mighty manifes- 
tations have been wrought by the power of God 
through His only Begotten Son. He knows that the 
testimony borne by Peter comes not from men but 
from God, and no matter what men may think or do, 
Peter will stand firm as a rock on this testimony. 

"I say unto thee," continued Jesus, "that thou art 
Peter, and upon this rock Will I build my church; and 
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." 

By that He meant that as Simon's name "Peter" 
means rock, so this testimony that comes by revelation 
shall be the rock upon which Christ's 
uJ^n'R^Ztin''''' Church shall be .built. Because when 
one receives such divine assurance 
in his soul that the gospel is true, no views of men, 
nor waves of temptation nor "the power of hell" can 
deprive him of it. You remember when Jesus 
first met Simon, He said He should be called 
"the Rock." Ever since then it would seem that Jesus 
has been waiting for the time when Peter's testimony 
would be like his character — expressive and firm. 
That time has come ; and Peter is now prepared to re- 
ceive a greater responsibility. 

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom 
*Matt. 16:13-20. 



Peter s Testimony 



43 



of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth 
shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever 

KiZdom^ thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in 
heaven." 

One key was to open the door of the gospel to the 
Gentiles, but it took quite a while before Peter knew 
how to use it. 

It is one thing to know that the gospel is true ; it is 
quite another thing to comprehend its purpose and 
significance. 

From that time, Jesus began to tell the Apostles that 
He would suffer and die, and that they must carry on 

the preaching of the gospel. He told them 
Hhhlalh'^^' that in a few months He would be taken by 

the chief priests, would be killed, and 
would rise again the third day. 

When Peter heard this, he took the Savior off to 
one side, and still hoping that Jesus would some day 
be a king, said, "Far be it from thee. Lord; 

Misguided gj^^ij ^^^^ ^^^y ^^^^ 

say, 'They shall not take you if we can 
prevent it." 

Brave but uncomprehending Peter! He does not 
realize that it is necessary for his Lord to die, before 

His mission of redemption is fulfilled. So he 
Pefer^^"^ would, in his blinded love, prevent his Master 

from completing His work! The Savior per- 
ceiving this turned and said unto Peter, ''Get thee be- 
hind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me; for thou 



44 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



savorest not the things that be of God, but those that 
be of men.""^ 

This was a severe rebuke, and it must have im- 
pressed Peter deeply with the thought that his plan 
was not God's plan; and he no doubt realized that 
there was yet very much for him to learn before he 
could carry out the great responsibility that the Lord 
had this day conferred upon him. But in his zeal to 
save Jesus from death, he erred, though only in love; 
and we can fancy hearing one of the others saying, in 
effect, in commendation of Peter's anxiety, 

"If he be not one that truly loves you, 
That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning, 
I have no judgment in an honest man's face." 

At any rate, we know that Jesus was pleased with 
Peter's testimony, and with his love, and would pa- 
tiently wait the unfolding of his mind in the compre- 
hension of the gospel plan. 



♦Matt. 16:16-23. 



LESSON 7 



A MARVELOUS MANIFESTATION 

In the region of Caesarea Philippij where Peter 
gave his testimony and received a blessing and power 
rr 7 w from his Master, is a hi2:h mountain 

1 he Holy Mount *^ 

peak 01 the Lebanon range, kno\ra as 
Mt. Hermon. Peter called it the Holy Mount. When 
you learn of what took place there, you will agree that 
Peter gave it a good name. 

One writer who has visited this region teUs us that 
the '^glittering splendor" of this peak, ^'towering like 
a giant above all other peaks of the Lebanon range, 
its head always covered with snow, is visible from 
every direction. It is in clear view as far south as the 
Dead Sea. It was probably the highest spot of earth 
on which our Lord ever stood, and from which He had 
His most extensive view. From it He looked do^vn 
upon Galilee, where He had taught and wrought, 
where He had been received by the few and rejected 
by the many.""^ 

Six days, (Luke says eight) had passed since Peter 
had borne his great testimony — six days, undoubtedly 
of important instruction to Peter and the other eleven. 

*Weed. 



46 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



It was probably during that time that the 
^/ecFstaif Twelve learned that to be a true follower of 
Jesus, one must be able to deny one's self of 
many desires and appetites — one must learn to con- 
trol feelings of anger, jealousy, and other passions. 
Said the Savior, ''If any man will come after me, let 
him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow 
me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: 

"And whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall 
find it. 

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the 
whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a 
man give in exchange for his soul?""*" 

These and many other glorious truths, Peter un- 
doubtedly heard during that memorable week at 
Caesarea Philippi. 

But he was to see and hear things even more 
glorious. 

Still perplexed over some of the sayings of Jesus, 
still wondering why it was necessary for their Lord to 
"suffer many things, and be rejected" and even put to 
death, Peter and James and John one night, accom- 
panied Jesus up the side of Mt. Hermon. It appears 
from the brief accounts we have of this incident that 
they spent several hours in solemn conversation, the 
apostles "asking Him many questions concerning His 
sayings." 

Twilight deepened into darkness, and the shades of 
night completely hid Mt. Hermon from the sleeping 

♦Matt. 16:24-26. 



A Marvelous Manifestation 



47 



^, ^ r . vales below. Perhaps the three lead- 

I he I ransjiguration , ^ i i • t i 

ers became drowsy; and as their Lord 
withdrew a little apart to pray, they may have fallen, 
for a moment or two, into a sleep — Luke tells us that 
they were ^'heavy with sleep/' Be that as it may, we 
know that when their eyes were turned toward Jesus, 
"He was transfigured before them. And His raiment 
became shining, exceeding white as snow; so white as 
no fuller on earth can white them." 

"And there appeared unto them Elias and Moses, 
and they were talking with Jesus.''"^ 

These heavenly personages talked, not to Jesus but 
with him, about His approaching death, and resurrec- 
tion, one of the vital things in Christ's min- 
a^Change ^^^^Y which Peter could not comprehend. 

Surely after this glorious vision of two 
heavenly beings. Death would lose much if not all its 
terror for Peter, James, and John. They would know 
that even if wicked men did kill their Master, that He 
would still live and still be their Lord and Savior. 
Death, to them, after this, would be just a "departure." 
They would realize that "Death hath nothing terrible 
in it, but what life hath made so." 

Peter by inspiration had received assurances that 
Jesus was indeed the Christ; now he witnessed a vis- 
ible sign of his testimony. Desiring to have a monu- 
ment to this outward sign, something which other eyes 
beside his might behold, he cried, out of the 
^^^^^ ^g^f" impulsiveness of his heart, "Master, it is 
good for us to be here, and let us make three 

*Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:1-6. 



48 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



tabernacles; one for tliee, and one for Moses, and 
one for Elias." But suddenly, as Moses and Elias ''de- 
parted/' a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came 
out of the cloud saying, ''This is mv beloved Son; hear 
Him!" 

Peter's testimony was, by this time, made strong 
and his faith proved:"^ 

(1) By tlie confirmation of miracles; (2) By 
xTstimoni seeing heavenly beings; (3) By inspiration; 

(4) By hearing not only tlie testimony of 
these angels but the Divine testimony of God Himself! 

Surely his faith is now built upon tlie Rock, and 
the gates of hell cannot prevail against it! 

This is true; and henceforth, we may safely con- 
clude as we follow his career, that not a shadow of 
doubt of the divinity of Christ's mission ever crosses 
Peter's mind. 

Wlien we think of Peter having been in almost 
daily contact with the Savior of men, we may conclude 
that his testimony grew \ery slowly, but if so, like the 
oak tree that grows slowly too, it was all the more en- 
during. 

After all, Peter's experience is the experience thai 
will come to nearly all the boys and girls who read 
these pages. Tlie knowledge of trutli, 
ItZZi^'"""'^'' and the testimony of the Gospel may 
come gradually to most of them. The 
one great lesson for them to learn even in youth is, 

*Peter 1:7. 



A Marvelous Manifestation 49 



that purity of thought^ and a sincere heart seeking the 
Savior's guidance daily will lead to a testimony of the 
truth of Christ's Gospel as sure and permanent as that 
which Peter possessed as he descended Mt. Hermon 
after seeing the transfiguration of Christ, and hearing 
the voice of God testify to His divinity. 

But knowing that Jesus is the Savior of mankind, 
did not give Peter a comprehension of the Gospel plan. 
In this regard, he had yet much to learn. And, it may 
be, that his strength of character, or shall we say his 
judgment, was not yet so sound as it should have been 
in a man whose whole life should be as firm as a rock. 

In the strength of his testimony, and in a somewhat 
resigned attitude to the fate that sooner or later was 
to befall his Master, Peter continued to ask many 
questions, pertaining to the vital aspects of Christ's 
mission. One of these which the apostles asked them- 
selves as they came down towards the crowd at the 
foot of the hill, was. What did the Master mean when 
He said the Son of Man would rise from the dead? 

While the Savior was answering this question, and 
explaining prophecies relating to it, they came to the 
place where, the evening before, they had left the 
other disciples. A great multitude had gathered about 
them, and the scribes were questioning them. 

In the midst of this crowd was a little boy sorely 
afflicted by an evil spirit. When he was "possessed," 
TheAmictedBoy ^^^^ ground, foamed at the 

I lie /llJllLltiU/ LfUy 1 111* 1 1«1 

mouth, gnashed his teeth, and pmed 
away. The father met Jesus, and begged Him to re- 



50 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



lieve his poor boy, and added that the disciples had 
tried but could not. 

''How long a time is it/' asked Jesus, ''since this 
came unto him?" "When a child/' the father said; 
"and ofttimes it hath cast him into fire and into the 
waters, to destroy him, but if thou canst, I ask thee to 
have compassion on us, and help us." 

Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, and the little boy was 
healed. 

To Peter, James, and John what a contrast was this 
scene to the one they beheld the night before on the 
Mount! Here was manifest the power of the 

d Contrast ., . . . ^ . 

evil one, causmg suspicions, pain, agony, 
death; there was manifest the power of the Holy One, 
proclaiming happiness, peace, glory, and immortality! 

Such have been the results of these two powers as 
they have influenced the lives of men in all ages. Such 
is the result today. A vital question for us is. Shall 
we hover around the foothills of sin where the evil 
one is triumphant, or shall we at least show a willing- 
ness to climb the mount of Holiness and let God 
transform our lives? 

" 'Tis not for man to trifle; life is brief, 
And sin is here. 
Our age is but the falling leaf, 
A dropping tear. 
We have no time to sport away the hours, 
All must be earnest in a world like ours." 



LESSON 8 



LESSONS IN TRUE LEADERSHIP 

"Character is built out of circumstances. From exactly the same 
materials one man builds palaces, while 
another builds hovels." 

Between the Transfiguration and the last eventful 
week of the Savior's life on earth, there are only a few 
recorded instances in scripture with which Peter is 
personally mentioned. It is significant, however, that 
nearly everyone of these, bears either directly or in- 
directly upon the moulding of Peter's character as an 
Apostolic leader. Peter knows that Jesus is the Christ 
that should come, but has he strength to defend Him 
in word and deed? Does he comprehend the divine 
principles of the Gospel sufficiently to manifest them 
in his daily life and conversation and in all his asso- 
ciations with his fellowmen? With the probable ex- 
ception of the tribute money incident, which empha- 
sized for Peter the divine Sonship of his Master, all 
the lessons following bear directly upon strength of 
character and principles of conduct. 

Tribute 

In those days, there was a tax levied upon every 
male Jew of twenty years old and upwards for the 
... , maintenance of the Temple and its serv- 

An Ancient Law , i i i . r 

ices. Ihis law had been m force ever 



52 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



since the days of the children of Israel when the great 
lawgiver, Moses, said: ^'A half shekel shall be the of- 
fering of the Lord.""^ 

Matthew tells us that ''When they were come to 
Capernaum, they that received tribute money, came 
to Peter and said, 'Doth not your Master pay tribute?'t 
'Yes,' promptly answered Peter." 

If he knew when he was talking to the tax-gatherers, 
that "there was no money in the bag," he must have 
wondered how the half -shekel due as tribute could 
have been paid that day. 

When Peter went back into the house, Jesus antici- 
pated what he was going to say, and asked Him, "Of 
whom do the kings of the earth take cus- 
xt^g^fo^^ree^ tom or tribute, of their own children, or 
of strangers?" 

"Of strangers," answered Peter. 

"Then are the children free," said Jesus, meaning 
that since this tribute money was for the maintenance 
of His Father's house. He, the Son, would not have to 
pay it; but he added: 

"Lest we should offend them go thou to the sea, and 
cast a hook and take up the fish, that first cometh up ; 
and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find 
a piece of money; and take and give unto them for me 
and thee." 

This experience must have impressed Peter with the 
fact that it is better to suffer offense than to give 
offense. 

*Ex. 30:13. 
tMatt. 17:24-27. 



Lessons in True Leadership 



53 



A Lesson in Forgiveness 

About this same time, Peter asked the question: 

"Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, 
and I forgive him? Till seven times?""^ 

Perhaps Peter had already been required to settle 
some difficulty between angry men, or, it may be, that 
he had been provoked during a dispute that arose 
among the disciples as to who was the greatest among 
them. If some one had taunted him several times 
about his being the greatest, it is quite probable that 
his patience was exhausted. At any rate, he wanted 
to know if there is a limit to the number of times a 
man should forgive his brother. What a lesson Jesus 
taught this impetuous apostle when he answered, 

"I say not unto thee, until seven times; but until 
seventy times seven."! 

Then, to make the teaching more impressive, the 
Lord told them the parable of the unmerciful debtor. 

A certain king took account of his servants for those 
who had collected his revenue, and found that one 
owed him ten thousand talents or about fifteen million 
dollars. This debt the servant could not pay, so the 
king commanded him to be sold, and his wife and 
children, and all that he had.f 

The servant begged for mercy saying, "Lord, have 
patience with me, and I will pay thee all." 

"Then the lord of that servant was moved with com- 
passion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt." 

*Matt. 18:22. |Matt. 21-22. 
tSee Kings 4:1; Cor. 25:39. 



54 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



The master not only had pity for the unfortunate 
debtor, but freed him from prison, let him keep his 
wife and children, and cancelled the debt. 

But that same servant went out and found one of 
his fellow-servants who owed him a hun- 
Ifrv^anr''*^ drcd pcucc, more than ten hundred thou- 
sand times less than the first servant 
had owed his master. 

Seizing the fellow-servant by the throat and chok- 
ing him, he demanded, ^Tay me that thou owest." 

The fellow-servant fell down at his feet and begged 
for mercy, "Have patience with me and I will pay 
thee all." 

But the unforgiving, merciless servant refusing to 
give pity, "went and cast him into prison, till he 
should pay the debt." 

So when the Lord heard how the servant whom he 
had forgiven had treated his fellow-servant, he called 
that servant back, and said : 

"0 thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all that 
debt, because thou desiredst me; should not thou also 
have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I 
had pity on thee?" 

This unforgiving servant was then told to pay the 
ten thousand talents, and was delivered over to the 
"tormentors" until it was all paid. 

Then concluded the Savior: "So likewise shall my 
Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your 
hearts forgive not every one his brother their tres- 
passes." 



Lessons in True Leadership 



55 



Do you think Peter would ever forget that lesson? 
The Reward of Sacrifice 

One day Peter and others listened to a conversation 
between their Lord and a rich young ruler. He was a 

young man, rich, and, as painted by the old 
Young^Ruler i^^sters, very handsome. But with all, he 

had kept himself morally clean, and de- 
sired to get eternal life."^ But his heart was set upon 
his riches; so when the Savior said, "Sell all thou hast, 
and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treas- 
ure in heaven, and come, follow me," the young ruler 
went away very sorrowful. 

Then Peter said, "Lo, we have left all and followed 
thee." As much as to say. Lord we have left every- 
thing for Thee, now what shall be our reward? Jesus 
said: 

"There is no man who has left house, or parents, or 
brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of 
God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in 
this present time; and in the world to come, life ever- 
lasting." 

"But," He added, "there are many who make them- 
selves first, that shall be last; and the last first." 

This last statement must have contained for 
^ Peter, the first among the Twelve, an import- 
ant lesson in Humility. 

*Read Luke 18:18-30. 



56 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



A Lesson in Faith 
It was probably on Tuesday of the last week that 
Jesus spent with His apostles, that Peter called atten- 
tion to the result of a divine curse. 

A day or so before this, Jesus had gone out of His 
way to get some figs from a tree that stood some dis- 
tance off. When he found that the tree bore 
FigTree^^ no fruit He said it should never bear fruit 
again. 

On this Tuesday morning as the disciples were pass- 
ing by, "they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots." 

"And Peter calling to remembrance said unto Him, 
^Master, behold the fig tree which Thou cursedst is 
withered away." 

Jesus answered: "Have faith in God. For verily I 
say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this moun- 
, ^ , , tain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast 

Foiver of t aim , , i i n i i • i • 

into the sea; and shall not doubt m his 
heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith 
shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he 
saith."^ 

On that same day, Peter was undoubtedly with the 
Twelve on the Mount of Olives when they asked Jesus 
"privately" about the destruction of the Temple.f 

To Peter and to all He said: "Watch ye therefore, 
and pray always, and keep my commandments, that 
^ , ye may be counted worthy to escape 

Keep Commandments n i i . i • i i n 

all these things which shall come to 
pass and to stand before the Son of Man when He shall 
come clothed in the glory of His Father." 
♦Mark 11:22-28. fMark 13; Matt. 24; Luke 21. 



y ■ 



LESSON 9 



ON THE NIGHT OF THE BETRAYAL 

"The weakest spot in every man, is where he thinks himself the wisest." 

In the Upper Room 

On Thursday of the Passion Week, Jesus called 
Peter and John to Him, and said: "Go, and prepare us 
the passover, that we may eat.""^ 

The Passover, you remember, is the name given to 
the feast established to commemorate the time when 
the destroying angel passed over the 

1. lie irCLSSOVCT ■% CI TTl 1*1111 

nouses oi the Hebrews, which had been 
marked by the blood of the lamb. At this festival, a 
lamb was killed, and called the Paschal Lamb. It 
was on the day that "the passover must be killed" 
that Peter and John were requested to make prep- 
aration. 

"Where wilt thou that we prepare?" they asked. 

"When ye have entered into the city," replied Jesus, 
"there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of 

water; follow him into the house where 
RoFmT/epared entereth in. Ask him. Where is the 

guest chamber, where I shall eat the Pass- 

*Luke 22:8. 



58 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



over with my disciples? And he shall show you a large 
upper room furnished; there make ready.""^ 

The two apostles did as they were directed, found 
everything just as the Lord had stated, and made the 
necessary preparations. 

At the appointed hour Jesus and the Twelve gath- 
ered in this upper room. Some think it was in Mark's 
house, some the house of Joseph of Arimathea, but we 
do not know, nor does it much matter. We are inter- 
ested most in what took place there. 

Jesus sat at the head of the feast. On one side, close 
enough to recline on His Master's breast sat John, and 
, ^ , . on the other side sat Peter. It was, per- 

A boLemn Meeting , , t . ^ 

haps, the most solemn meetmg at 
which the Twelve had ever gathered; for the Savior 
said at the beginning: 

^'With desire," that is with longing earnestness, "I 
have desired to eat this passover with you before I 
suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat 
thereof, until it be fulfilled which is written in the 
prophets concerning me." 

Meaning that His hour had come when His enemies 
should take Him and put Him to death. 

Near the end of the supper, Jesus rose from where 
He was reclining, laid aside His outer garments, took 
a towel and tied it around His waist, thus assuming 
a servant's dress. He then took a basin of water and 
proceeded to wash the disciples' feet. 

♦Luke 22:11-12. 



On the Night of the Betrayal 



59 



It may be that the Savior had detected in the minds 
of some the same thought which had caused a dispute 
among them once before, as to who was 
Di^i^e7¥eet greatest among them. Perhaps this 
thought arose when they saw Peter and 
John occupying the places of honor. At any rate, their 
Lord, the greatest among them, assumed the attitude 
of servant, the least and humblest of them all. 

When He came to Peter, the latter said: "Lord, dost 
Thou wash my feet?" Peter would serve his Master, 
Peter Objects Master must never serve him! 

"What I do thou knowest not now; but 
thou shalt know hereafter," answered Jesus. 

"Thou needst not to wash my feet." 

"If I wash thee not," continued Jesus, "thou hast no 
part with me." 

When Peter thought that his refusal to submit to be 
served by the Lord, was really putting the Savior away 
from him, he said, 

"Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and 
my head." 

"So after He had washed their feet, and had taken 
his garments, and was set down again. He said unto 
An Exam le Kn^^ 7^ what I have done to you? 

Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say 
well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, 
have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one an- 
other's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye 
should do as I have done to you." 

Thus did these twelve men receive in an impressive 



60 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



and practical manner, the divine lesson of service. 
Thus did they learn that those who were greatest 
among them were really the servants of all. Indeed, 
in the Church of Christ, there are no masters and no 
servants, but all working for every one and each one 
for all. 

Immediately following this impressive and sacred 
ceremony, the full significance of which very few un- 
derstand, the Savior said, ''One of you 
Ss^f/ay Me" shall betray me." 

This announcement cast a gloom over 
all. To make it caused "trouble'' to come over Christ's 
"spirit;" and to hear it, made all "exceeding sorrow- 
ful."^ 

ITiey began to inquire among themselves which one 
of them should be so faithless; and soon each asked 
the Master, "Lord, is it I?" 

Judas, last of all answered and said, "Lord, is it I?" 

Jesus' answer, "Thou hast said," must not have 
been heard by the others, because Peter beckoned to 
John to ask the Master "who it should be of whom 
he spoke." 

Jesus replied, also in a quiet manner, "He it is, to 
whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it." 

When he had dipped the sop, he handed it to Judas 
Iscariot. Peter and John, then, knew who the traitor 
, , , was; but the others probably did not: for 

Judas Iscariot , i i i t i 

they wondered what Jesus meant when 
He said to Judas: "That thou doest do quickly." 

*Matt. 26:22. 



On the Night of the Betrayal 



61 



Loyalty as Peter Felt It 

After the traitor went out into the night — oh such a 
night for him! Jesus continued to teach and to com- 
fort the Eleven. 

"A new commandment I give unto you," He said, 
"That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that 
T ^ ^ T ye also love one another." 

Love One Another \ , , . ^.^ . , ^ 

Among other things, Jde said, ret er- 
ring to His approaching death, "Whither I go ye can- 
not come." 

This stirred Peter's love and he inquired, "Lord, 
why cannot I follow Thee now? I will lay down my 
life for Thy sake."^ 

"Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired you that 
he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee 
r, rr J that thy faith fail not; and when thou 

reter to Be Iried '' i r i -661 i i i 

are converted, ^that is, brought back 
afresh as a penitent disciple"^ strengthen thy 
brethren."f 

This grieved Peter very deeply. To think that his 
Master would even suspect that he, Peter, would even 
weaken in his steadfastness to his Lord! (It is signifi- 
cant that the Lord called him by his old name, Simon) . 

Peter protested, saying, "Lord, I am ready to go 
with you both unto prison, and unto death."f 

"I tell you, Peter," continued the Savior, "that the 
* John 13 :34-37. fLuke 22 :31,32. $Luke 22 :33. 



J 



62 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt 
A Prophecy deny that thou knowest me." 

''But, he spake the more vehemently, 'If I 
should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee in any 
wise.' Likewise so said they all.""^ 

Peter meant every word he said, and he felt deeply 
the truth of what he spake; but his real strength had 
not come to him yet, and his Master knew it. It would 
come but it would be "Born in the deep silence of a 
long-suffering heart." 

Loyalty as Peter Acted It 

Later in the night, the company left the upper room, 
crossed the brook Kedron, and went to the Garden of 
^ , Gethsemane, on the west side of the Mount 

Cretnsemane p r\i' 

01 (Jlives. 

Bidding eight of the Twelve to remain together. He 
took the other three, Peter, James, and John, apart. 
His soul "was exceeding sorrowful even unto death." 

He said, "Tarry ye here, and w^atch with me." 

Soon He withdrew a little from them, and prayed. 
The Apostles could see Him, perhaps could hear Him, 
as He cried, "Father, if it be possible 

''Not My Will hut 1 . .1 • 1 4. 

Thine Be Done- this cup pass; nevertheless not my 
will, but thine be done." 

When he returned, and found the three sleeping. He 
said, "Simon [Simon again] sleepest thou? Couldst 
not thou watch one hour?" 

"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." 

♦Matt. 26:35. 



On the Night of the Betrayal 



63 



"The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.""^ 

A second time He withdrew; a second time re- 
turned; a second time found them sleeping; "for their 

eyes were heavy; neither knew they 

^hat to answer Him." 

When He returned the third time. He 
said kindly, "Sleep on now and take your rest; it is 
enough, the hour is come; behold the Son of Man is 
betrayed into the hands of sinners." 

After a little longer sleep, the three were awakened 
by Jesus, only to see approaching "a great multitude, 
with swords and staves, from the chief priests, and the 
scribes and the elders. ' At their head was Judas who 
approached his Lord, and betrayed Him with a kiss. 

As soldiers went to lay hands upon Jesus, Peter, 
who was now thoroughly aroused, jumped to the res- 
cue of his Master, "drew his sword, and 
H%^Lord^^^^ smote a servant of the high priest and cut 
off his ear." 

This servant, whose right ear Peter struck off" with 
one blow, was called Malchus. 

"Put up thy sword into the sheath," commanded the 
Savior, "the cup which my Father hath given me, shall 
^ ^ I not drink it?" What a lesson to Peter! Even 
though duty led to suff'ering and death, yet 
would the Lord not waver in His strength. 

Then said Jesus, "Suffer ye thus far, and He 
touched his ear and healed him."f 

*Mark 14:38. fLuke 22:51. 



64 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



As the officers led Jesus away, the disciples *^'all 
forsook Him, and fled." 

Peter's strength and loyalty were wavering; but he 
could not bring himself to flee with the others. Neither 
could he conclude that it was best to 

Feter t oUows Jesus • i t i t i • i i 

go With Jesus; so he did neither, but 
"followed Him afar off*, even unto the palace of the 
high priest." 

At first, he remained on the outside, but later ven- 
tured in where the servants were sitting. 

Weakness Brings Misery 

While Peter was standing by the stove warming 
himself, a girl came in, and recognizing him as one 
who had been with Jesus, said, "Thou, also wast with 
Jesus of Galilee." 

"I know not what thou sayest," said Peter before 
them all. 

o/ Weakness ^^^^ Stepped out on the porch, perhaps 
to cool his burning conscience or to try to 
collect himself to know what best to do. 

A man seeing him there cried out, "This man was 
also with Jesus of Nazareth." 

"I do not know the man," said Simon; and this time 
he took an oath. 

One of the servants of the high priest, who was re- 
lated to Malchus approached Peter a little later, and 
said, "Did I not see thee in the Garden with Him?"* 

♦John 18:26. 



On the Night of the Betrayal 



65 



Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, "Man, 
I know not what thou say est." At that moment, Peter 
heard the cock crow. 

Almost immediately, too, the Savior passing near 
Sorrow "tumed and looked upon Peter." Then re- 
calling the words of his Lord, "Before the cock 
crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.""^ Peter went 
out and wept bitterly. 



*Luke 22:61. 



LESSON 10 



OUT OF GLOOM, INTO LIGHT 

"Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering 
hearts; not amidst joy." 

It is said when Peter "went out speechless from the 
face of all, ^ ^ ^ ^j^j filled the silence, weep- 
ing bitterly/' that his grief was so heavy that he re- 
mained alone all day during Friday and Saturday 
following tlie Savior's crucifixion. If so, his sorrow 
for what he had done was made all the 
S^renll'"^"'"'' more acute as he recalled the many kind 
words the Savior had spoken to him, and 
the many, many happy moments he had spent in the 
Lord's company. Every word and act and look asso- 
ciated with his Master would flash upon his mind with 
a new meaning. Perhaps for the first time in his life, 
he now fully realized w^hy the Lord had desired his 
nature and faith to be as "The Rock." Through the 
mist of his bitter tears, he saw all the true attributes 
of manhood as they were personified in Jesus — Rev- 
erence, Brotherliness, Patience, Sincerity, Courage. 
These and many other noble traits made Jesus appear 
to him now more holy than ever. But the more clearly 
Peter saw Christ's strength and holiness, the more 
clearly he realized his own littleness and misery. This 
last manifestation of his weakness, which led him to 



Out of Gloom, Into Light 



67 



deny his Lord, made him see himself in a new light, 
and it had a decisive effect upon him. Out of the 
"deep silence" of his suffering, those two days, there 
was born that strength which Christ had urged upon 
him ever since He called him 'Teter.'' 

It must have been a sad meeting when John and 
Peter first came together after the Crucifixion. When 
A o J ' it was or where, we are not told; but we 

A bad Meeting ^ ' . ^ 

are sure that John must have recognized 
a great change in his fellow-Apostle. Out of the hag- 
gard look and the deep lines of grief there must have 
shone a humility which John had never before seen in 
Peter's face. We can only imagine what Peter's feel- 
ings were as he listened to John tell of all that had 
happened before Herod and Pilate, and at the Cross. 
Mingling with Peter's grief was the keen disappoint- 
ment that their Messiah, their King, was not to free 
the Jews and rule over them as he had hoped. In 
doubt as to what to do, they probably decided to visit 
the place where their Master had been laid, and then 
return to their former vocation as fishermen. 

But there was one whose love and devotion took 
her to the tomb even before the Apostles. Mary Mag- 
dalene, "while it was yet dark" approached the place 
. , ^ , , where she thought Jesus slept in death. 

At the be pule are ^ . ir * i t i^ii* 

But mstead 01 seemg her Lord s body m 
the cold dark sepulchre, around which there was noth- 
ing but gloom and sorrow, she found an empty tomb. 
In alarm, she ran to Peter and John, and breathlessly 
cried, "They have taken away the Lord out of the 



68 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



sepulchre." "Peter therefore went forth, and that other 
disciple, and came to the sepulchre." At first, they 
ran together, but Peter already weary with suffering, 
was soon out-distanced by the younger Apostle John, 
who reached the place first. 

"And stooping down, and looking in, he saw the 
linen clothes lying; yet went he not in." 

Just to look in, however, did not satisfy Peter; for 
as soon as he came, he "went into the sepulchre." John 
followed him. They noticed the napkin that had been 
on Jesus' head wrapped and placed by itself ; the linen 
clothes, too, were folded neatly and placed aside with 
care. They concluded that thieves would not have 
done this, and so dispelled Mary's theory that the 
Lord's body had been stolen. But "as yet they knew 
not the scripture that He must rise again from the 
dead." 

Filled with wonder and perplexity, the two dis- 
ciples "went away again to their own home," but Mary 
lingered near the tomb, and as a reward 
nZReleter for her faithfulness and devotion, be- 
came the first person in the world to be- 
hold the risen Redeemer. 

Other women who came to the tomb that morning 
to render, as they thought, the last slight service to 
their Lord, were permitted also to see Him. 
^isLorr Later, on that same day, it seems that He 
appeared to Peter; but where, or under what 
circumstances, or what was said, we do not know. We 
may rest assured, however, that Peter's repentant soul 



Out of Gloom, Into Light 



69 



was filled with joy eternal as he received the divine 
forgiveness of His Lord. 

That evening as the Eleven were assembled in a 
room talking over the events of the day, and particu- 
larly the Lord's appearance to Peter, 
EmrZus^'''^ there entered two disciples from Em- 
maus. They were no sooner in the pres- 
ence of the Eleven, than they heard the joyous mes- 
sage, "The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared 
unto Simon." They could readily believe this, for 
they said, "When we were returning from Jerusalem, 
today, after having heard of the angels and the empty 
tomb, Jesus Himself drew near and went with us." 

While they were thus assembled, Jesus appeared to 
them again, "and saith unto them. Peace be unto you." 

Such scenes as that cannot be described, 
ioEkvfn^'''^' and the evangelists who tell us about it 

simply state the fact and leave us to 
imagine what their thoughts and feelings were on that 
glorious occasion. We are sure, though, that we can 
say of Peter as has been written of the Prophet Joseph 
when he, too, saw the Savior, 

"O what rapture filled his bosom, 
For he saw the living God." 

The Fisherman Becomes the Shepherd 

Several days after this, Peter and six other disciples 
were back on the sea of Tiberias, fishing. They were 



70 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



in Galilee, evidently waiting to meet the Lord 
Tiberiuf there as He had promised. One evening, as if 
Peter had almost despaired of waiting, he 
said to the others, 

"Vm going a fishing." 

"We also go with thee," said they. 

They entered into a boat immediately, and let down 
their nets. They toiled all night, and caught nothing, 
just as some of them had done on a memorable oc- 
casion several montlis before. 

As morning dawned, tliey saw a man standing on 

the shore, but in tlie distance, they could not tell who 

he was. Suddenly tlie man cried, 

''Sirs, have ye anv meat?" 
Many Fish u^^,, ^^-^ ^^^^^^ 

"Cast tlie net on the right side of the ship and 
ye shall find," said the man. 

They did so, and caught so many fish that they 
could scarcely draw in the net. 

John, whose loving eyes were made more keen by 
a loving heart, rushed to Peter's side and whispered, 
"It is the Lord." 

Instantly, Peter knew John spoke the truth, and man 
of action that he was, he put on his fisherman's coat, 
plunged into the sea, and hastened to the feet of his 
Master. The others came in the little ship, dragging 
the net of fishes. 

Jesus had already started a fire, and was cooking 
them something to eat. After the greetings. He said, 
"Bring of the fish which ye have now caught." 



Out of Gloom^ Into Light 



71 



Peter was the leader in going to the net and in draw- 
ing it to the land. "^Tiile the fish were cooking, the 
disciples counted the number caught, and found that 
in that one draught there were one hundred and fifty- 
three: ''and for all there were so many, yet was the 
net not broken." 

Jesus had shown them where to catch the fish, He 
had started the fire on which to cook them, and now 
''He taketh the bread and giveth them 
ofarlfs7^^ and the fish likewise." Surely these lit- 
tle incidents would tend to impress them 
with the truth that if they "would seek first the King- 
dom of God and His righteousness all else will be 
added." At any rate, this is the lesson taught on that 
great occasion: The apostles were not now to spend 
their lives seeking the things which perish, but in 
searching for souls that will endure throughout all 
eternity. Many are now together in the fold of Christ, 
and the shepherd is called away. Henceforward Peter 
and his associates must be the keepers of this flock. 

When they had broken their fast, Jesus said to 
Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me 
more than these?" 

"Yea, Lord," answered Peter, "Thou knowest that I 
love thee." 

"Feed my lambs." That is, Take care of the little 
ones in my Church. Do not let them go astray in paths 
that will lead them to sin and misery. 

He saith unto him again the second time. 



72 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



''^Simon, son of Jonas lovest thou me?" 

"'Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love thee.'' 

"Feed my sheep." Keep the older ones together and 
give them the words of life as thou hast received them 
from me. 

A third time Jesus said, 

"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" 

And Peter, somewhat grieved, answered, "Lord, 
thou knowest all things ; thou knowest that I love thee." 

"Feed my sheep." 

And then the Savior admonished Peter not always 
to follow his own inclinations, and impulsive nature; 

Duty First ^^^^ Shepherd of the 

Fold. When Peter was young, and did not 
have the knowledge and responsibility he now pos- 
sessed, he could go fishing, and make money, or study, 
or do whatever he wished, but now he must attend to 
his duties in the Kingdom of God no matter what 
might come to him personally in doing so. Even 
though Peter's duty led to the cross, the Savior said, 
"Follow me." 

While this conversation was going on, Jesus and 
Peter were walking alone a little ahead of the others. 
Peter turned, and saw John following close to them. 

"Lord," said Peter, "what is John to do?" 

"If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to 
thee, follow thou me." As much as to say. Just attend 
faithfully to your duty, Peter, teach others to do the 
same, and all will be well. 



Out of Gloom, Into Light 



73 



This is the last recorded word of Christ to Peter; 
but he was present of course when the Savior gave His 
final charge to the Twelve.* 

From this time Peter's zeal in the Work of the Min- 
istry was constant, and his boldness unsubdued. 



*See Mark 16:16.. 



\ 



LESSON 11 



A TRUE LEADER AND VALIANT DEFENDER 

"The reward of one's duty done is the power to do another." 

With a knowledge that Jesus Christ was his Savior, 
that he was happiest when he did what his Lord wanted 
him to do, and that when he did wrong or yielded to 
the influence of evil men, he was miserable, Peter, 
began his great mission as chief apostle and president 
of the Twelve. 

In accordance with the Savior's command "that 
they should not depart from Jerusalem" until they 
, ^ , received the Holy Ghost, Peter, for some 

In j eriisalem . p i t • i i • 

time alter the Lord s ascension, made his 
home in the Holy City. Here he and James and John, 
and others of the Eleven, frequently met in an upper 
room, perhaps the same room in which Jesus had 
eaten the Passover with His disciples. With them 
were Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and some other 
women. 

An Apostle Chosen 

On one of these occasions, there were present one 
hundred and twenty people, "all engaged in prayer 
and supplication." Peter arose in their 
Chose^n^^^'^^^^ midst and said it was necessary to choose 
a man who had been faithful in follow- 



A True Leader and Valiant Defender 



75 



ing the Savior to take the place of the traitor, Judas, 
in tlie Quorum of Twelve Apostles. There were two 
names suggested, Joseph called Barsabas, and Mat- 
thias. Knowing that the Lord should choose the men 
who were to be His special witnesses, they prayed, 
saying, ''Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all 
men, shew whither of these two Thou hast chosen." 
Then they "gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon 
Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven 
apostles." 

The Day of Pentecost 

Before nine o'clock in the morning, ten days after 
the Savior's ascension, and fifty days after the Pass- 
ri 1 r^i ovcr associatcd with the crucifixion, the 

The Holy Ghost i i i i i i • a 

apostles held a memorable meetmg. As 
they sat "with one accord in one place" "suddenly 
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing 
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they 
were sitting." Thus came the baptism by fire and the 
Holy Ghost as Christ had promised. The Comforter 
about which their Master had so often spoken had at 
length come to them, to guide and to inspire them as 
Jesus had done in person. 

Immediately a wonderful manifestation took place. 
Though nearly all the apostles were Galileans and 
spoke the same language, yet when they be- 
of^Tongues S^^ ^^^^ testimony of Christ and His Gos- 
pel, they "began to speak with other tongues 
as the spirit gave them utterance." 



76 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



That a remarkable thing had occurred was soon 
noised about the city, and people in great numbers 
gathered around the apostles. In the crowd were Jews 
from many nations who had come to Jerusalem to 
celebrate Pentecost. These spoke the language of the 
country from which they came. Imagine their amaze- 
ment when every one heard the Gospel preached in his 
o^vn tongue! 

"Are not these men who speak Galileans?" they 
asked. "Yes/' was the answer. 

"Then how hear we every man in his own tongue, 
wherein we were bom?" 

As the apostles, one after another, told of the salva- 
tion of man through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, some 
of the people were amazed, and some amused, but all 
were perplexed. 

"What does tliis mean?" asked some. 

"They act as though they are drunken," said others. 

Then Peter arose, and, in mighty power, addressed 
the multitude. "Ye men of Judea," he began, "and all 
ye that dwell at Jerusalem; be this known unto you, 
and hearken to my words : 

"For these are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it 
, , , , is but the third hour of the day. 

Feter s Address i • • i i i i 

But this IS what was spoken by the 

Prophet Joel."* 

Undoubtedly only a small part of Peter's address is 
given to us; but as we read his inspired words, and 
partake of the fearlessness with which he told the Jews 

*Read the entire address as recorded in Acts 2:14-37. 



A True Leader and Valiant Defender 



11 



that they had crucified the Christ, we readily become 
convinced that the weakness he manifested about a 
month and a half before, has been replaced by the 
strength of the man of God. Then he stammered and 
swore, "I know not the man;" now, he declared, "This 
Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all wit- 



nesses." 



With all the courage of his convictions, and with tlie 
power of the Holy Ghost, he added: ''Therefore, let 
„. „ , all the house of Israel know assuredly, 

Hu t earlessness ^ i i i i i t i 

God hath made that same Jesus, whom 
ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

As they heard of the wickedness in crucifying the 
Christ and of many other sins, they desired to get for- 
giveness for what they had done, and cried out to 
Peter and the other apostles, 

''Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 

In Peter's answer, we see the open door through 
which all must pass who desire to be saved 
JJ^tJhall Kingdom of God : 

"Repent and be baptized, everyone of 
you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of 
your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy 
Ghost." 

Then those who believed what Peter had said, were 
baptized; and the little band of one hundred and 
twenty grew that day to three thousand one hundred 
and twenty. And every day thereafter, many others 
became converted, and joined the Church. 



78 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



The Man Who Never Walked 

About three o'clock one afternoon Peter and John 
were going up to the Temple to pray. Here tliey came 

every day to meet in one accord with the 
uLtiZ^Place saints, and then visit "from house to 

house; breaking bread." Thus the Tem- 
ple seems to have been the general meeting place for 
the first followers of the Redeemer. It was His house, 
and there they liked to gather to worship. The main 
entrance to the Temple was by way of "Solomon's 
Porch" through a gate that was called "The beautiful 
Gate." Here gatliered all the poor people — the blind, 
the lame, the weak, and those who were diseased — 
who lived by asking alms from those who came to the 
Temple. 

On this particular afternoon, one of these made his 
piteous appeal to Peter and John. He was a man forty 

An Appeal ^^^^^ never taken a step in 

his life. Friends would carry him there in 
the morning, and then carry him home at night. In 
answer to his request for money, Peter said, "Look 
on us." 

While the man was wondering how much money the 
apostles would give him, Peter added, "Silver and 
. gold have I none: but such as I have, ffive I 

The Answer i . i r t - r tvt 

thee: m the name ot Jesus Christ of Naz- 
areth, rise up and walk." 

Taking him by the right hand, Peter lifted him up, 
and immediately his feet and ankle bones received 
strength. 



A True Leader and Valiant Defender 79 



The man was so happy that he went into the Tem- 
ple leaping and praising God for the great miracle 
that had come into his life. 

Again the people were "filled with wonder and 
amazement/' and gathered in great numbers in "Solo- 
mon's Porch" staring at Peter and John, wondering 
what kind of men they were. 

Here Peter gave another great address in which he 
said that this man was healed through faith in the 
name of Jesus Christ "whom God hath 
iZfeTs^"'"""^''^ glorified, whom ye delivered up and 
denied Him in the presence of Pilate, 
when he was determined to let Him go. 

"But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and de- 
sired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed 
the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the 
dead; whereof we are witnesses,"^ 



^ Read Acts 3:12=26. 



LESSON 12 



PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED 

"As no good is done, or spoken, or thought by any man without the 
assistance of God, * * * so there is no evil done, or 
spoken, or thought without the assistance of the devil," 

While Peter was still preaching to the thousands 
assembled in "Solomon's Porch/' he saw approaching 
n , , from the castle near the Temple, the 

reter Interrupted , ^ , , i i • i i 

captam oi the guard and his band. 

The Jewish priests had become jealous, and sus- 
picious of the apostles, and looked with alarm at the 
thousands of people joining the Church. So they de- 
cided to call out the soldiers, disperse the multitude, 
and arrest Peter and John as the men responsible for 
all the excitement. However, about five thousand of 
the people were converted that afternoon. 

So the soldiers "laid hands on them," and put them 
in jail, "For it was now eventide," and, therefore, too 
J late to take them to trial. Though they 

Imprisoned , . , , . . . 

were shut up m close cells, yet their spirits 
were free and their consciences clear. They could 
sleep more peacefully than the priest who had caused 
their arrest. 

In the morning, the prisoners were taken to the 
Sanhedrin where sat Annas, the high priest and Caia- 



Peter and John Arrested 



81 



phas, and John and Alexander, and relatives 
fJnhedrUi ^ig^ pi^i^st. These men had con- 

denined Jesus, perhaps in this very room, 
and they were determined that the preaching in the 
name of Jesus of Nazareth must cease. 

Others were present that morning, and among them 
true friends to the apostles. One of these was the lame 
man, who had been healed. 

As he was the innocent cause of the multitude's 
gathering the previous evening, everybody seemed to 
be even more interested in him than in the 
S^^'arme^r"^ prisoners. He was carried, they knew, 
only twenty-four hours ago, to the temple 
gate, and now they see him walking firmly through 
the crowd to get near the apostles. 

"By what power, or by what name, have ye done 
this?" demanded one of the judges. 

''Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto 
them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 

"If we this day be examined of the good deed done 
to the impotent man, by what means he is made 
whole; 

"Be it known unto you all, and unto all the people 
of Israel, that by the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom 
ye crucified, whom God raised from the 
ofcMst^'^^' dead, even by Him doth this man stand 
here before you whole." 
How those sinful men must have quailed as they 
beheld Peter's dignity, felt his sincerity, and listened 
to the flashing words that pierced their guilty souls! 



82 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



He told them further that they could get no salva- 
tion unless they, too, took upon themselves the name 
of Christ: "for there is none other name under heaven 
given among men, whereby we must be saved." 

What could the priests say? What could they do? 
Nothing. 

ConTouLed There stood the man sound and whole, 
who had been helpless for forty years! 

There stood Peter boldly proclaiming that the mir- 
acle was wrought in the name of Jesus of Nazareth 
whom they had condemned to death. 

They considered Peter imleamed, but he had con- 
founded them all. 

After ordering the prisoners to be taken into an- 
other room, they said among themselves : 
Counsel "What shall we do to these men? for that 
indeed a notable miracle hath been done by 
them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem 
and we cannot deny it." 

So, in order that the doctrine the apostles were 
preaching would spread no further, they concluded to 
threaten Peter and John, and command them not to 
speak to any man in "this name." 

So they called the prisoners back and said in effect; 
"You must never more speak at all, nor teach in the 
name of Jesus." 

Said the apostles, "Whether it be right in the sight 
of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, 
judge ye. 



Peter and John Arrested 83 



Better to Obey "For we caiinot but speak the things 
God Than Man ^hich we have seen and heard." 

No doubt these priests would have punished the 
apostles then, if they had not been afraid of the peo- 
ple, all of whom ^'Glorified God for that which was 
done." 

When they were let go, Peter and John went "Xo 
their own company, "and told their friends all that had 
happened. When they heard it, the saints united in a 
prayer of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings 
unto them."^ 

At this meeting there was another mighty mani- 
festation of the Holy Ghost, "and they spake the word 
of God with boldness." 



Dangers Within the Fold 



But these leaders had to contend not only with ene- 
mies outside the Church but with the scheming, dis- 
, honest people who stole their way into the 

Unconverted ^ ^ 

told, inere were men and women who 
had not repented of their sins before they were bap- 
tized; so they did not receive the Holy Ghost. 

Two of these were Ananias and his wife Sapphira. 

Everybody who joined the Church had everything 
in common. Those who had land and other property 
sold it and brought the money to the apostles. There 
were no rich and no poor — all had everything that 

*See Acts 4:23-31. 



84 Ancient Apostles — Peter 

anybody else had, and everyone possessed what be- 
longed to all. 

Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession; but they 
brought only part of the money, and said it was all. 

Thus they told a falsehood, and showed 

1 ivo LJecdvers 

themselves to be among the worst people 
in tlie world; for, 

"Who dares think one thing, 
The Lie And another tell, 

Detected My soul detests him, 

As the gates of hell." 

Tlirough the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter 
detected the lie, and said to Ananias, 

''Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy 
Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?" 

"Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? 

"Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto 

A Severe CnA " 
Punishment 

"And Ananias hearing these words fell 
down and gave up the ghost." 

About three hours later, his wife came in, and 
told the same story as her husband. She, too, received 
a divine rebuke, and paid the penalty of her sin by 
giving up her life. 

After that, no one dare try to deceive the apostles 
in giving gifts to the Church. 

This is a good lesson for all to keep in mind today 
especially when paying tithing to the Lord. 




Pktkk 

They l)r.)U^lit forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds 
and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by 
inijilit overshadow some of them." 



LESSON 13 



PERSECUTED BUT UNDISMAYED 

"Dinna curse him, sir; I have heard it said that a curse was a stone 
flung up to the heavens, and most likely to return on 
the head of him that sent it." 

The earnestness with which Peter and the other 
Apostles preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ had a 
wonderful effect upon the multitudes who heard them. 
At Solomon's Porch, day after day, men and women 
heard the Twelve testify that the Redeemer of the 
World had indeed come. 

These testimonies were corroborated, too, by won- 
derful manifestations; for ''by the hands of the Apos- 
Sick Healed ^^^^^ many signs and wonders wrought 
among the people." So great was the faith 
in the power of God that "they brought forth the sick 
into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, 
that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might 
overshadow some of them." 

Nor were the sick in Jerusalem the only persons 
blessed; but people from the villages near Jerusalem 
who were sick and afflicted with evil spirits appealed 
to the Apostles, and by the power of God, were healed. 

It must have given Peter and his fellow Apostles 
much cause for rejoicing to see the interest and the 



86 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



faith of so many thousands in the message 
and Unify Christ. What rejoicing, too, in the hearts 

of all those invalids, who, made well, leaped 
from their couches and joined in the praises of the 
Redeemer! How the Twelve must have loved each 
other and their hearts beat as one as, day after day, 
they bore witness to the death and the resurrection 
of tlieir Lord, and received divine assurances that He 
was still manifesting Himself to them through the 
Holy Ghost! As this Spirit permeated those who 
joined the Church, no wonder that "the multitude of 
them that believed were of one heart and of one 
soul." 

But there were some men in Jerusalem who were 
made very jealous of the Apostles, and whose hearts 
Hatred ^^^^ fiUcd, not with rejoicing but envy. These 
were the men who had been the leaders in cru- 
cifying Jesus. It is said that '"'No sooner is a temple 
built to God, but the devil builds a chapel hard by;" 
thus while the Lord was pouring out the Spirit of 
love upon those w^ho joined the Church, the devil was 
pouring hate into the hearts of those who were wicked 
and would not repent. 

So, "the high priest rose up, and all they that were 
with him, and, being filled with envy, laid their hands 
„ , . , on the Apostles, and put them in the 

Feter Imprisoned ^ . 99 mi • t i i 

common prison. Ihese prejudiced and 
ignorant rulers were determined to make the Twelve 
stop preaching Christ ; because if what the Twelve said 
was true, these rulers would be blamed for having put 



Persecuted but Undismayed 87 



to death the King of the Jews. But poor, puny man 
cannot hinder the work of the Lord. 

Some time during the night while the prisoners 
were together in the prison room — perhaps singing 
hynms and praying — an angel of the Lord 
iSli^eTance' appeared to them. He opened the prison 
doors, brought them out, and said : 
"Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people 
all the words of this life." 

About this command George L. Weed writes: 

" ^Go' — the very word they had heard from the 
Lord before His ascension to Heaven, whence He had 
sent His angel to repeat it in prison. 'Go' — in spite of 
threats and commands, of bolts and bars and prison 
guards. In the name of Him who commanded you, 
'Go, preach my Gospel,' do ye 'Stand and speak in the 
Temple' — the very place whence ye have been driven, 
Speak to the people, all who will listen, for your Mas- 
ter and mine is the Savior of them all. Speak all the 
words of this life — the promised future life of which 
the resurrection of Jesus is the first fulfilment." 

Obedient to the angel's command, the Twelve en- 
tered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. 
How their message must have thrilled the eager listen- 
ers who had assembled that early to hear the word 
of God! 

Just as early that same morning another group of 
men assembled. The high priest called his council to- 



88 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



^etlier, ''and all the senate of the children of 

The Jews 

Perplexed Israel." When this council was in readiness, 
the high priest sent to the prison for Peter 
and his bretliren. Soon tlie officers returned and said: 

''The prison truly found we shut with all safety, 
and the keepers standing without before, the doors: 
but when we had opened, we found no man within." 

Perplexed by this unexpected announcement, the 
high priest and council seemed to be unable to decide 
just what to do. While they were still seeking for a 
satisfactory explanation or for the next definite step 
to take, some one entered, saying: 

"Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are stand- 
ing in the temple, and teaching the people." 

Hearing this, the captain of the temple with his 
officers fetched the Apostles before the council. But 
the officers took them "without violence;" that is, with- 
out doing them any injury or without using them 
roughly; "for they feared the people, lest they should 
have been stoned." 

As soon as the Twelve appeared, the high priest 
demanded : 

"Did not we straitly command you that ye should 
, ^ not teach in this name? and behold, ye 

Before the Council , m i t i • i i 

nave tilled Jerusalem with your doc- 
trine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 

His prejudiced heart prompts him to speak of Jesus 
without mentioning His name. But even in his bitter- 
ness, he bears a noted testimony of the success of the 
Apostles' preaching. "Ye have filled Jerusalem with 



Persecuted but Undismayed 89 



your doctrine/' said he, ''and now intend to bring this 
man's blood upon us." Did the high priest remember, 
just then, that the Jews cried at the trial of Jesus, ''His 
blood be upon us, and upon our children?" If so, he 
must have felt fearful that the imprecation might be 
realized. 

Then said Peter and the other Apostles : 

"We ought to obey God rather than men." Mani- 
festing as much eagerness as the high priest had shown 
reluctance to name Jesus, Peter added: 

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom 

A Bold Speech ^^^^ hanged on a tree. 

"Him hath God exalted with his right 
hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repent- 
ance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. We testify to 
these things and the Holy Ghost also says they are 
true." 

This bold speech cut the wicked judges to the heart. 
It made them so angry that they talked of slaying the 
Twelve, just as they had killed the Savior. 

But there was one able lawyer among them who had 
justice in his heart. His name was Gamaliel. He 
stood up among them and said : 

i7fln!f' up^^ ^j^^g^ ^£ j^^jj ^ 

space." 

When this was done, he continued, in effect: 

"Ye men of Israel, be careful what you do to these 
men. If what they are preaching is of man it will soon 
pass away, just as Theudas and about four hundred 



90 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



who joined him were scattered and brought to naught; 
and just as Judas of Galilee and those who believed 
in him were dispersed. 

"But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest 
happy ye be found even to fight against God."'^ 

Gamaliel's influence prevailed; and the Apostles' 
lives were spared; but they were not released until 
they had been beaten and commanded not to 
^eleased^ speak in the name of Jesus. If the beating 
they received was a scourging, each man was 
stripped to the waist, his arms tied to a low pillar, that 
he might lean forward, so the whipping could more 
easily strike him, and he was given thirty-nine lashes. 

As the Twelve, bleeding from the wounds of the 
lash, left the council chamber, their hearts were filled, 
not with sorrow and regret, but with rejoicing "that 
they were counted worthy to suff'er shame for His 



name." 



♦Read the text: Acts 5:33-39. 



LESSON 14 



A SPECIAL VISIT TO SAMARIA 

As the membership of the Church increased, men 
were called and ordained to various offices in the work 
Deacons ministry. Besides the Apostles, there 

were Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Deacons, 
etc. Among the first to be chosen and ordained to a 
particular office of service in the Church were "seven 
men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wis- 
dom." Their names were, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, 
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. They are 
called Deacons and one of their chief duties was to 
oversee the distribution of food among the poor. 

Shortly after their appointment, a bitter and cruel 
persecution arose against the Church at Jerusalem 
^ , ^ during which the Saints were scattered 

btepnen Martyred i i i i i . r 

abroad throughout the regions oi 
Judea, and Samaria. Stephen, "a man full of faith 
and of the Holy Ghost," was stoned to death. Philip 
went down to the city of Samaria, and there continued 
to preach Christ unto the Samaritans. 

It seems that great power accompanied Philip's 
ministry, for "unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, 
came out of many that were possessed; and 
many taken with palsies, and that were lame, 
were healed. And there was great joy in that city." 



92 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



The people, "with one accord/' heeded Philip's 
message and were baptized into the Church. 

But baptism by water is not sufficient. It must be 
followed by the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It seems, 
however, that Philip, though he had authority 
Limited^ to baptize, did not have the right to confer 
the Holy Ghost. He, therefore, probably held 
the office of Priest. 

When the news that Samaria had received the Gos- 
pel reached Jerusalem, "Peter and John were sent 

unto them. Who, when they were come down, 
Givei^^^^^ prayed for them that they might receive the 

Holy Ghost." On the heads of these baptized 
believers, Peter and John then laid their hands and 
conferred upon them the Holy Ghost. 

The Lord does not accept everyone who is baptized 
into the Church. Only those who sincerely believe in 
Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the World 

Fretenders , , r i • • • i 

and who repent oi their sms receive the 
Holy Ghost. Those who are baptized without faith 
and repentance are mere pretenders. 

One such joined the Church in England a few years 
ago. One day a member seeing that the young man 
had no faith, asked him why he had joined the Church. 

"Oh, just to get out to America," he replied. 

A little later in the conversation, he confessed to 
having joined the Catholic Church, at one time, to get 
a string of beads! and afterward joined the Latter- 
day Saints to come to Utah. Of course, it was not 




i 



A Special Visit to Samaria 



93 



long before he was excommunicated, and soon after 
fell into the depths of sin and misery. 

At the time Philip went to Samaria, there was a 
man named Simon in the city, who was a great pre- 
, ^ tender. He claimed to be a sorcerer, 

bimon the Sorcerer , ^ i i r i 

and made a great deal oi money by 
bewitching people with his sorceries. "However, when 
the people heard the true Gospel, and saw miracles 
wrought by the power of God, they lost interest in 
Simon's sorceries, and were baptized by Philip. 

"Then Simon himself believed also; and when he 
was baptized, he continued with Philip, and won- 
dered, beholding the signs and great miracles which 
were done." But he was not converted. His only pur- 
pose of joining the Church was to find out how these 
miracles were performed, thinking he might use them 
for gain. 

When Simon saw that through the laying on of the 
Apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered 
His Greed money, saying, "Give me also this 

power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he 
may receive the Holy Ghost." Poor, greedy man! His 
lust for gold led him to sacrifice even his honor! 

"And hence one master passion in the breast, 
Like Aaron's serpent, swallows up the rest." 

If he thought Peter's heart was as avaricious as his 
own, he soon learned better, for the indignant Apostle, 
„ , , , lookino; straight into the sordid soul of 

Simon Kebukea , . ^ ^ , . , 

this mercenary hypocrite, answered: 
*^'Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast 



94 Ancient Apostles — Peter 



thought tliat tlie gift of God may be purchased with 
money. 

"Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for 
thy heart is not right in the sight of God." 

Outw'ard show and hypocritical pretenses could not 
influence Peter any more tlian they could win tlie 
favor of God. Only a sincere heart was acceptable. 
Seeing that Simon's heart was set on making money 
at the sacrifice of honor, and even tlie desecration of 
the word of God, Peter told him to repent of his wick- 
edness, and to pray to God for forgiveness, ''for," he 
added, ''I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitter- 
ness, and in the bond of iniquit}^" 

Such a scathing rebuke, filled the sorcerer with 
'fear, and he pleaded with Peter to pray to God "that 
none of these tilings which ye have spoken come upon 
me." 

Peter continued for a short time to preach in odier 
cities in Samaria and then returned to Jerusalem. 



LESSON 15 



AT LYDDA AND JOPPA 

Though only a few years had passed since the Apos- 
tles had received the final commission to ''Go into all 
, ^ , , the world and preach the Gospel/' yet. 

Church Established , i i • i • 

through their earnest and contmuous 
labors, churches were established in all Judea, Galilee 
and Samaria. As it was the duty" of the Twelve to look 
after the interests of the whole church, it became nec- 
essary for them to travel throughout all the land of 
the Jews. Peter visited from place to place, organ- 
izing, ordaining, blessing, and preaching the Gospel 
of Christ. 

On one of these tours, he visited the cities on the 
plain of Sharon, which border on the Mediterranean 
Sea. One of these to^ras was Lydda, in the southern 
part of the plain. ^Tiile visiting the saints here, "'he 
, ^ . , found a certain man named Eneas who 

Eneas the Cripple i • i i • i i 

had kept his bed eight years, and w^as 
sick of the palsy." This was a disease which affected 
the limbs of those afflicted, and made it impossible for 
them to walk. This poor cripple had not taken a step 
for eight years. Undoubtedly, he had heard that 
Christ had healed men as sorely afflicted as he, and 
also, that Peter, in the name of Christ, had bade the 



96 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



cripple at the Temple gate to arise and walk. At any 
rate, when Peter found him he appealed to Peter to 
give him the same blessing. 

'''And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ 
maketh thee whole: arise and make thy bed." This 
meant for him to fold the rug on which he was lying, 
and put away for the day. '''He arose immediately. 
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and 
turned to the Lord." 

Not far distant from Lydda was another city named 
Joppa. One reason why we read of Joppa is because 
^ , . , it was the home of a very good woman whom 

I aoitna iii itt 'tti 

everybody loved. Jtler name m liebrew was 
Tabitha, and in Greek was Dorcas. Both these words 
mean ''Gazelle," the name of a very beautiful animal 
like a deer. Tabitha seems to have been as beautiful 
as she was good, and her whole time evidently was 
spent in giving comfort and happiness to others. She 
benefited the poor by presenting them with coats and 
garments that she made with her own hands. But one 
day she was taken sick, and all her many friends be- 
came very anxious about her. When her sickness grew 
worse and she died, all their hearts were filled with 
gloom. Among these sad mourners were some widows 
to whom Tabitha had given comfort. They were trul)'' 
bowed in grief, as, indeed, was the entire Church at 
Joppa. After the body was tenderly washed, it was 
carried to an upper room. 

But there was no funeral service held; for some 
of the disciples had heard that Peter was over at 



At Lydda and Joppa 97 



Lydda, and "They sent unto him two men, desiring 
him that he would not delay to come unto them." 

Peter granted their request and went at once to 
Joppa. *^'When he was come, they brought him into 
the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him 
weeping;" and, undoubtedly between their sobs, prais- 
ing the virtues of their departed sister. 

Following the example of his Master when the lit- 
tle daughter of Jairus was restored to life, Peter asked 
everybody in the room to leave. He then knelt down, 
and prayed. Turning toward the body, he said: 

"Tabitha, arise." 

As the first manifestation of life, we are told that 
"she opened her eyes." What her surprise upon seeing 
rr r. y r, J the Chief Apostle by her side instead 

i abitha Kestored r i r • i i 

01 her nearer iriends — ^wnat ex- 
change of greetings were made — what expressions of 
gratitude, we cannot tell; but "he gave her his hand, 
and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints 
and widows, presented her alive." 

As a result of this miracle, which became known 
throughout all Joppa, "many believed in the Lord." 

Up to this time the Apostles preached only to the 
Jews because being Jews themselves, they thought the 
Messiah was their Savior but not the 
^toTewf^''^'' Savior of other nations, especially of 
those nations who worshipped idols. All 
peoples not Jews were called Gentiles and were con- 
sidered by the Jews to be "common" or "unclean." 

Although the Lord had commanded to "teach all na- 



98 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



tions," yet the Apostles did not seem to have compre- 
^ hended their commission, until Peter received 

Cornelius . i . . 

a special vision. 
While he was staying in Joppa with a man named 
Simon who was a tanner, there was a Roman officer 
stationed at Caesarea, thirty miles northward. His 
name was Cornelius. He was captain of a hundred 
soldiers, and was therefore called a ^'Centurion." Al- 
though a ^'Gentile," Cornelius did not worship idols 
^ as did most of the Gentiles. 

Undoubtedly, he had heard of Christ, and knew 
that many of the Jews accepted Him as their Savior; 
. ^ and he wondered why the true Gospel 

A Devout Man ^ 

could not save mm as well as the Jews. 
"He was a devout man, and one that feared God," and 
taught all in his house to do likewise. Not only this, 
but he lived a righteous life, which is best of all, and 
gave also to the poor. 

One afternoon, he was praying in his house when 
an angel appeared to him, and said, "Cornelius." 

The suddenness of the angeFs appearance filled the 
Centurion with fear; but he answered, 

"What is it, Lord?" 

"Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a 
memorial before God," said the angel; "and now 
send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, 
^^nsu^e/vA^ whosc sumamc is Peter. He is staying with 
one Simon the tanner, whose house is by the 
seaside: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." 
As soon as the angel had gone, Cornelius called two 



At Lydda and Joppa 99 



servants and a soldier who also worshipped the Lord, 
and telling them what the angel had said, sent them 
to Joppa. They followed the seashore southward all 
night, and reached Joppa about noon the next day. 

Just about the hour that these messengers entered 
the city, Peter, as was his custom, went upon the house- 

A Midday Vision ^""^ P^^^* Waiting for 

the preparation oi nis noonday meal, he 
"fell into a trance," in which he saw coming down 
from heaven a vessel resembling "a great sheet knit 
at the four comers, and let down to earth, wherein 
were all manner of four-footed beasts, and creeping 
things, and fowls of the air." 

While Peter beheld these animals, thinking they 
were unfit to eat, a voice said: "Rise, Peter; kill and 



eat." 



"Not so. Lord; for I have never eaten anything 
that is common and unclean." 

"What God hath cleansed," continued the voice, 
"that call not thou common." 

This was repeated three times, and then the sheet 
was taken up again to heaven. 

Peter was perplexed, and sat wondering what the 
vision might mean. However, he was not left long in 
Peter Perplexed while he was thinking on the 

vision, "the spirit said unto him, 'Behold 
three men seek thee. Arise, therefore, and get thee 
do^vn, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have 
sent them.' " 

Now it happened that just while Peter was given his 



100 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



vision tlie tliree messengers from Cornelius knocked 
at Simon's door, and were admitted into his house. As 
Peter entered, and saw them, he said, 

"Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is tlie cause 
wherefore ye have come?" 

"Cornelius, the Centurion, was warned from God 
by an holy angel," they answered, "to send for thee 
in this house, and to hear words of thee." 

The messengers stayed that night with Peter in Si- 
mon's house; and next morning, conducted him and 
"certain brethren from Joppa,' to Caesarea. On the 
following day, as they came to the Centurion's house, 
they found Cornelius and all his household, kinsmen, 
and friends gathered to receive tliem. As Peter neared 
the door, Cornelius stepped out to meet him, fell domi 
at his feet, and began to worship him. But Peter raised 
him up, saying gently : 

"Stand up; I myself also am a man." 

As the two men entered the house, Peter, seeing a 
number of people present, said : 

"Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a 
man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one 
of another nation ; but God hath shewed 
WMcZTur that I should not call any man com- 
mon or unclean. Now for what intent 
have ye sent me?" 

Cornelius then told all about his fasting and prayer, 
the visit of the angel, and the angel's instructions.'^ 

♦See Acts 10:30-34. 



At Lydda and Joppa 101 



The prejudice that had prevented Peter from com- 
prehending the full meaning of the command to 
'Teach all nations/' began to lift from his souh his 
eyes began to see more clearly the mercy of our Heav- 
enly Father; and as Cornelius ceased speaking, he ex- 
claimed: 

''Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of 
persons: but in eyery nation he that feareth him, and 
worketh righteousness, is accepted of him.""^ 

Then to this first meeting of Gentiles in the early 
Church, Peter told the story of the Redeemer, testify- 
ing of the Savior's death and resurrection. 

As final proof to the chief Apostles that the Lord 
would accept the Gentiles as well as the Jews into His 
Church, "the Holy Ghost fell on all them 
S^^''' which heard the word." 

Accepting this as a direct manifestation 
from God, Peter declared. 

"Can any man forbid water, that these may be bap- 
tized, who have received the Holv Ghost as well 
as we?" 



=^See Acts 10:34-43. 



LESSON 16 



THE THIRD IMPRISONMENT 

"They never sought in vain that sought the Lord aright" 

"If you cannot pray over a thing, and cannot ask God to bless you in 
it, don't do that thing. A secret that you would keep from God 
is a secret that you should keep from your own heart." 

After having completed his labors at Lydda, Jop- 
pa, and the adjacent towns, Peter returned to Jeru- 
salem and continued his earnest work in the ministry. 

But there was a wicked king ruling over Judea at 
that time, named Herod Agrippa, who '^stretched forth 
A rw' 1 1 his hands to vex certain of the Church." 

A Wicked King , r tt j ^ 

lie was a grandson oi nerod the Great, 
who, you remember, slaughtered all the little children 
in Bethlehem in his effort to kill the little baby Jesus. 
He was also a nephew of Herod Antipas, the wicked 
king who had John the Baptist beheaded. Herod 
Agrippa possessed the same wicked passions as his 
grandfather and his uncle; so, of course, he hated and 
despised the righteous men who, in preaching the Gos- 
pel, were condemning sin and wickedness. 

The first apostle to suffer from King Agrippa's 
wickedness was James the brother of John whom he 

killed "with the sword." When he found 
/^^/o Pn^ir^ ^^^^ murderous act pleased the haughty 

and stiff-necked Jews, he thought he would 



The Third Imprisonment 



103 



kill some others of the apostolic band. Accordingly, 
he arrested Simon Peter; but, fortunately, concluded 
not to kill him until after Easter, so thrust him in 
prison until a more favorable time for a public exe- 
cution. 

As if to make sure that Peter would not escape this 
time, he "delivered him to four quartemions of sol- 
diers to keep him." "This meant four distinct 
Guarded Packets of four guards each, sixteen in all. 

Each picket was to keep watch three hours and 
then be relieved by another during the night watches. 
Two officers must guard at the outer gate of the prison, 
and two be in the cell, one on each side of the pris- 
oner, with his arms chained to them." Thus firmly 
guarded and chained, Peter lay down to sleep "be- 
tween two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the 
keepers before the door.""^ 

James' cruel death and the report of Peter's im- 
prisonment spread consternation among the saints in 
Judea. Some, perhaps, were fearful; all were 
prayerful. 

It seems that groups of earnest saints met in differ- 
ent places, and pleaded in sincere prayer to God to 
spare their leader's life. Indeed, 
PrSef "prayer was made without ceasing of 
the Church unto God for him." It is 
thought by some historians that among those who were 
thus supplicating the Lord were Paul and Barnabas 
who were probably in Jerusalem at that time. 

*Actsl2:6. 



104 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



One of the principal meetings was held at the house 
of Mary, the mother of John Mark, who many years 
after, wrote the Gospel, according to St. 

At IVlCLT'y S JLiOUSQ J^'J 

While we leave them in solemn prayer on the night 
before Peter was to be killed, let us go back to the 
prison, and see what is happening there. 

While Peter lay sleeping on his pallet of straw, '*^be- 
hold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a 
light shined in the prison." Evidently, 
i^'pelf^^^'"''' tlie guards were asleep, and neither 
saw nor heard anything for the angel 
touched Peter on the side, and raised him up saying, 
"^'Arise up quickly." 

As Peter complied, his chains fell off his hands. 
Then the angel said to him: "Tie your girdle around 
your waist, and put on your sandals." 

Peter, scarcely knowing what he was doing, did as 
he was told. Then the angel continued: 

"Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me." 

Still thinking that he was dreaming, Peter followed 
the angel. 

They left the guards in the cell, passed the first 
guard of soldiers, then the second ; but no one tried to 
stop them. When they came to the big 
Kr™?^;fr' "iron gate that leadeth to the city," it 
"opened to them of its own accord." The 
angel continued to direct Peter through one of the 
streets of the city, then left him as suddenly as he had 
appeared. 



St. Peter in Prison 
"The angel of the Lord came upon him. and a light shined in the 

prison." 



The Third Imprisonment 



105 



By this time, however. Peter fully realized that he 
was not dreaming, but was actually out of prison. He 
said to himself: 

"Now I know of a suret}", that the Lord hath sent 
his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of 
^ , Herod, and from all the expectation of 

His Lite baveci , ' . i • i i i 

the Jews/ by this last remark, lie re- 
ferred to the public execution tliat Herod had prom- 
ised to have taken place that \ery day. But faith and 
prayers were more mighty in Peter's behalf than the 
decree of kings, and the demands of the wicked Jews. 

Wondering just a little where he should go, he 
turned to the house of Mar\% the mother of John Mark, 
where, you know, some of the saints were even at that 
moment praying for his deliverance. 

"As Peter knocked at the door of the gate,*' a young 
girl named Rhoda came, and asked who was there. 
Rhoda ^T^^^ -1^^ heard Peter's voice, she was so 
glad that she didn't stop to open the gate, but 
ran immediatelv into tlie room saving: 

"Peter is here — standing outside the door." 

So suddenly interrupted in their prayer, the peo- 
ple would not believe her, but said she was beside 
^ . , . . , , herself. But Rhoda insisted tliat she 

t nenas Astonished • i oi i -n 9 • i 

was right, bhe laiew reter s voice, and 
she knew he was at the door. They finally concluded 
that "it was his angel." 

In the meantime, Peter kept knocking until he was 
finally admitted. It seems that the little group hardly 
expected their prayers to be answered in just that 



106 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



literal way; so ''when they opened tlie door and saw 
him, they were astonished." 

Peter, holding up his hand, and beckoning them 
to be quiet, told them how the Lord had delivered him 
from prison. Then he added: ''Go explain all these 
things to James, and to the brethren." This James 
was probably the brother of Jesus, who seems to have 
been appointed to take charge of the Church at 
Jerusalem."^ 

Knowing that as soon as he would be missed in 
prison the soldiers of old Herod would be searching 
for him, "Peter went unto another place. 

reter Gets Away . , ^ 

When mommg came, there was a 
great stir among the soldiers because of Peter's hav- 
ing escaped. Herod ordered a thorough search in 
vain. 

Then, thinking the keepers of the prison had been 
careless and negligent, this wicked ruler ordered them 
put to death. 

fo%th''' Not long afterward he, himseK, died so 
suddenly and so miserably, that some said 
the wrath of God was visited upon him because of his 
wickedness. Luke tells us that tlie "angel of the Lord 
rr jy 1 smotc Mm." 

Herod s Death t-» t-i i tt i i i i 

But reter, whom Herod had souglit to 
kill, was spared, through the blessings of the Lord, to 
bless the Church, and to preach the Gospel for many 
years aftenvard. 



*Gal. 1:19. 



LESSON 17 



CLOSING SCENES OF A RIGHTEOUS MINISTRY 

"The Gospel is the fulfillment of all hopes, the perfection of all phil- 
osophy, the interpreter of all revelations, and a key to all 
the seeming contradictions of truth in the 
physical and moral world." 

Many years have passed since Peter met Jesus, and 
was told that he should be called "Cephas which is by 
„ , interpretation, a Stone." Little did 

Feter s Character t i i i t i i 

reter realize then, why the Lord de- 
sired to have this fisherman's character become as a 
rock. Little did he realize what mighty responsibility 
his Master desired to place upon him. But the years 
that have intervened have been filled with wonderful 
experiences, all of which tended to make Peter not 
only the Rock-man Christ had desired him to become, 
but the great leader and chief apostle in the Church 
of Christ. 

Fearlessness, faithfulness, prayerfulness, humility, 
and an untiring zeal in his efforts to instruct and to 
bless the people are traits of Peter's character that 
shine out in his life. 

We should be reminded, however, that this rock 
character was not formed all at once. It grew grad- 
ually. You remember how Jesus, watching its forma- 
tion, reproved Peter's weaknesses, commended his 
strength, and encouraged him, time after time, to re- 
main true to the work as a "fisher of men." 



108 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



We have now reached that period in his life when 
this man who at one time pulled nets full of fishes 
7 „ from the sea of Galilee can look back 

A' Fisher of Men'' , . r • • i 

over his years oi ministry and see num- 
berless nets full of men, women, and children drawn 
from the sea of ignorance and sin and put safely in 
the Church of Christ. 

There was this difference, however, between the re- 
sults of his fishing for fish and his fishing for men: 
The fish he dragged from the element of life to phys- 
ical death; the men he drew from the element of 
death to eternal life. 

For five years after his deliverance from the third 
imprisonment, Peter continued his visits from city to 
city, province to province, preaching the Word of the 
Lord. During many of these travels, he was, un- 
doubtedly, accompanied by his faithful wife. 

It had been Peter's duty and privilege to preach the 
Gospel first to the Gentiles. Please note that when the 
Lord desired the Gentiles to hear His word, 
?oTeftir He instructed the Chief of the Twelve to 
turn the key that opened the Gospel door 
to them. This is one of the special duties of the Apos- 
tleship. 

Since that time, many Gentiles had become con- 
verted; and in some cities they met and worshipped 
^, . . together with the Jews. This was particular- 
ly true in Antiocn, an important city oi byria 
where the followers of Jesus were first called 
Christians. 



Closing Scenes of a Righteous Ministry 109 



But there were certain men from Judea who went 
to Antioch and caused trouble. These were Jews who 
had accepted the Gospel, but who still believed that 
the Gentiles would have to do everything the Jews did 
before they could obtain salvation. 

The question as to whether the Gentiles might re- 
ceive the Gospel and be saved, without conforming to 
every Jewish rite, came before the Twelve 
^thlVenSfs' and other Church leaders in Jerusalem. 

''And when there had been much dis- 
puting, Peter arose up, and said unto them: 

''Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while 
ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by 
my mouth should hear the work of the Gospel and 
believe. 

"And God, who knoweth the hearts, bare them wit- 
ness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did 
unto us ; 

"And put no difference between us and them, puri- 
fying their hearts by faith." 

He then told them not to provoke God by passing 
some rule that would compel the Gentiles to do what 
the Lord does not require of them. For, he added, 
"We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, we shall be saved, even as they." 

There was a time when Simon, the Jewish fisher- 
man, with all his Jewish prejudices, would have rather 
rr L 7j L D- z.* yielded to the Jewish side of this ques- 

Upholds the Right \. , ^ . ^. ^ . 

tion; but now, it was not bimon, the 
fisherman, who spoke, but Peter, the chief apostle of 



110 



Ancient Apostles — Peter 



the Lord. What were prejudices to him in the light 
of the inspiration of truth! All that was necessary for 
him to know was, whether the thing was right, and 
prejudice or no prejudice, favor or no favor, he would 
defend it. 

It is true that once after this council, so Paul says,"^ 
Peter withdrew from the company of some Gentiles 
because some of the Jews came down from Jerusalem. 
Paul says he rebuked Peter for his actions on this oc- 
casion; but we have no record of what Peter said or 
did. Knowing Peter as we do, we are safe in conclud- 
ing that he did not intentionally waver from the right. 
It seems more probable that Paul misunderstood 
Peter's motives. At any rate, we may rest assured that 
what Peter said and did was intended to help those 
who were influenced by his actions. 

From that time, we know very little of Peter's 
travels. By reading his epistles, we get a little insight 
... . , into the nature of his labors and trav- 

VisUs All Churches i i . i i r i • it 

eis durmg the last years oi his iiie. 
Undoubtedly, he visited every country where there 
were organized branches of the Church, even to the 
"seven churches in Asia." 

We do not now just where he died, nor the kind of 
death he suff'ered; but it is evident that the end was 

not far off" when he wrote his second 
leilZf"'^''''' epistle to the churches. That was about 

thirty-five years after he first met the 
Savior. He was in the ministry then, approximately 
thirty-five years, perhaps longer. 

♦Gal. 2:7. 



Closing Scenes of a Righteous Ministry 111 



Referring to the prophecy of the Lord on the shore 
of Galilee, the aged apostle, writing to the Saints and 
urging them to be true to the Gospel, said: 

"Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tab- 
ernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 
Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able after 
my decease to have these things always in remem- 
brance." 

Some of the earliest Christian writers tell us that 
Peter and Paul were both imprisoned in Rome during 
the terrible persecutions of the Saints under the 
wicked king Nero. 

There is a story told that before Nero had impris- 
oned Peter, the Saints, perceiving the danger he was 
A Legend pleaded with him to leave Rome. 

Very reluctantly, he yielded to their en- 
treaties, and escaped from the city, by night. As he 
was going away, he met the Lord carrying His cross, 
and going toward Rome. "Master, whither art thou 
going?" asked Peter. "To Rome, to be crucified a sec- 
ond time," was the reply. 

Thinking that if his Lord could be crucified a sec- 
ond time for the Truth, he too, would be willing to die 
for it, he returned to Rome, and some time later, was 
condemned by the emperor Nero to suffer death by 
crucifixion. As he neared the place of execution, how- 
ever, Peter asked that he be permitted to hang on the 
cross with his head downiwards, which request was 
granted. 

These circumstances are more or less legendary, 



I 



112 Ancient Apostles — Peter 

and may or may not be true; but this we know tliat 
whatever the manner or time of his death Simon Peter 
died true to every trust that his Lord and Master had 
given him. 

"He has done the work of a true man, — 

Crown him, honor him, love him. 

Weep over him, tears of woman. 

Stoop manliest brows above him! 

No duty could overtake him, 

No need his will outrun ; 

Or ever our lips could ask him, 

His hands tlie work had done." 



PART TWO— JAMES 




LESSON 18 
JAMES, THE SON OF ZEBEDEE 

"Honor and shame from no condition rise; 
Act well thy part, there all the honor lies." 

"Honor is not a matter of any man's calling merely; but rather of 
his own actions in it." 

Among the devoted women who followed Jesus in 
Galilee, who ministered unto Him, and watched with 
anxious care and sorrow the progress of the trials in 
Jerusalem, was a noble mother named Salome. 
With Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jesus 
and Joses, she stood ^'beholding afar off" the cruci- 
fixion of the Savior. 

She was one who would not forsake her Lord even 
at the cross. She was also one who, with spices and 
perfumes, went early to the sepulchre Sunday morn- 
ing, to participate in the embalming of Jesus' body. 
To her and others, the Savior appeared, that morning, 
saying, "Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they 
go into Galilee, and there shall they see me." 

"Happy he with such a mother! faith in woman- 
kind beats with his blood, and trust in all things high 



114 



Ancient Apostles — James 



comes easy to him, and though he trip and 
'Quoted ^ fall, he shall not blind his soul with clay." 

Such was the faithful, devoted woman 
whom James and John, the sons of Zebedee called 

mother. And she was as proud of her boys 
H^er^Boys ^^^^ proud of their mother; for they 

seemed to have inherited from their mother, 
and perhaps their father too, those true and unwav- 
ering qualities which made them such devoted dis- 
ciples of Christ. 

Like most mothers, Salome desired to see her boys 
honored; and one day asked the Savior to grant that 
her two sons might sit, the one on His right 
R^lfsf' ^^^^ the other on the left, in His king- 
dom. Jesus said, "Are ye able to drink of 
the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with 
the baptism that I am baptized with?" 
They answered, "We are able." 
"Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized 
with the baptism that I am baptized with," answered 
the Lord; "but to sit on my right hand, 
DHnkofCup and my left, is not mine to give." 

The mother's eagerness to have her sons 
thus honored made the other ten a little jealous; but 
^ when Jesus saw their feelings, he told 

I rue Servants -. , , i i i i rr 

them that while men who hold onices in 
the world exercise unrighteous dominion, those who 
are given offices in His Church are the servants of all. 
"Whosoever will be chief among you let him be your 
servant." 



James^ the Son of Zebedee 



115 



James was of Bethsaida, in Galilee, and was a fish- 
erman. He was busy at his trade when Jesus called 
him to the ministry. When the call came, James and 
OiBethsaida brother were sitting in a boat mending 
^ nets. Their father and hired servants were 
also there. Of course, James had seen Jesus before 
this, and had undoubtedly heard him; for when An- 
drew had hurried off to find Simon Peter, after hav- 
ing met the Lord, John had hurried to find his brother 
James. 

So James, too, had found the Messiah, and was al- 
ready converted to the Gospel. Therefore when Jesus 
A r n stopped that morning by the seashore, and 

Accepts LaiL . , . ^ _ ^ 

said, Lome, 1 will make you iisners oi 
men," they immediately left their father with the 
hired servants, and followed Christ. 

When the Twelve were chosen, James was chosen 
next to Peter, and was one of the three who consti- 
tuted what we might call the Presidency of 
Tivelve^^^ the Twelve. In this position, he became 
closely associated with the Redeemer, and 
was an eye-witness to some of the most sacred inci- 
dents in His Lord's ministry. Thus, with Peter and 
John, he was present in the room when the little 
daughter of Jairus was restored to life. 

He was also one of the favored three on the Mount 
of Transfiguration; and was one of those chosen to 
^ , accompany the Master to the secluded 

On the Mount -. * i i r i i 

place m the Garden oi Getnsemane, when 



116 



Ancient Apostles — James 



Christ suffered those bitter agonies preparatory to His 
betrayal and sufferings on the cross. 

James was called a son of Thunder; and there is one 
incident in the Bible which gives us a little insight 

into a part of his nature which probably called 
Thunder f^^^th that name. When the time came that 

Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem to be 
offered up as a sacrifice, he "sent messengers before 
His face: and they went, and entered into a village 
of the Samaritans, to make ready for him."* 

James was one of these messengers. 

But the Samaritans, who would have no dealings 
with the Jews, and who were particularly offended 
on this occasion because Jesus was determined to wor- 
ship in Jerusalem, refused to receive Jesus. Their 
refusal made James and John so indignant that they 
turned to their Master and said: "Lord, let us com- 
mand fire to come down from heaven, and consume 
them, even as Elias did?" 

But the Lord was displeased with them for being 
angry, and said, "Ye know not what manner of spirit 
A Rebuke Man IS not come 

to destroy men's lives but to save them." 

For this almost righteous manifestation of fire in 
their natures, it is thought that James and John were 
called Boanerges, or "sons of Thunder." 

But if he had an impetuous nature or quick temper, 

*Luke9:52. 



James^ the Son of Zehedee 



117 



he controlled it, and through his faithfulness and 

devotion won the favor of his Lord. 
TnlfaTofs^ It is thought that he traveled a great 
deal, preaching the Gospel, it is said, to 
all the dispersed tribes of Israel. But of his labors, 
there is scarcely any record. 

About forty -two or forty-four years after Christ, 
„. ^. Herod Agrippa, as you have already 

The First Martyr , i i i • 

learned, commenced a bitter persecu- 
tion against the Saints. James was among the first to 
be arrested. 

Sentence was passed upon him very soon after he 
was apprehended, yet, so remarkable were his faith 
^ , and his courage during the trial that the 

Officer Converted ^ ^ i i i • / i 

otncer who guarded mm, (who, some 
say, was his accuser) repented of his sins, became 
converted, and declared his faith in Christianity. 

As James was being led to the place of execution, 
this officer threw himself at the apostle's feet, and 
humbly begged forgiveness for what he had said 
against him. 

Putting his arm around the penitent man, James 
answered, 'Teace, my son, peace be imto thee, and 
pardon of thy faults." 

Both were then executed by order of the cruel 
Herod. 

Execution ^ . 

Inus James, the nrst martyr apostle, par- 
took of the cup of which he had said to his Lord many 
years before he was willing to drink. 



I 



PART THREE— JOHN 




LESSON 19 
WITH THE REDEEMER 

"Modesty is a shining light; it prepares the mind to receive 
knowledge, and the heart for truth." 

"Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues." 

In the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. 
John, we read that two disciples of John the Baptist 
heard their master bear witness to the divinity of 
Jesus. Said the Baptist, referring to Jesus walking 
alone in the distance, "Behold the Lamb of God, that 
taketh away the sin of the world." One of the two 
disciples who heard this testimony is named; he was 

, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.* The 

Al odcstv 

Other is not named. Indeed throughout the 
entire book, which, undoubtedly, was written by St. 
John, himself, the name of John, son of Zebedee, is 
never once written. In the account of the Last Supper, 
we read of a "disciple whom Jesus loved," who sat so 
near the Lord that his head could rest on Jesus' bosom. 

These two instances, and others that might be named 
indicate to us a prominent trait in St. John's char- 



John 1:40. 



With the Redeemer 



119 



acter; viz., an unassumed modesty that won him the 
respect and love of all who knew him. 

But John was the son of Salome and Zebedee, and 
the younger brother of James, with whom he was 
„ , called "Boanerges," or son of Thunder. 

Fearlessness ™ • • t i • • i • i 

Ihis gives us a little insight mto another 
phase of his character. Like his brother James, he 
was evidently fiery in his zeal in whatever he under- 
took to do, and fearless in doing what he thought was 
right. 

A modesty that made him shrink ever from prais- 
ing himself or unduly pushing himself forward; a 
Love f^^^^^^^^^^^ defending what is right, and a love 
for his Master that gave him the highest place in 
the Savior's heart — these are three traits of John's 
character which stand out distinctly in the fragmen- 
tary accounts of his life. 

He lived, and was probably bom in Bethsaida, the 
home of Peter and Andrew and Philip. He was a fish- 
erman by trade, and worked with his father and 
brother James. His father, Zebedee, owned his own 
ships, and employed servants; so we conclude that he 
was well to do financially.''' 

He was a seeker after true learning, and especially 
after those things which would tell him about God and 
the hereafter. He kept his mind and heart 
AfterTTuth P^^e, SO that he could appreciate the truth 
when he heard it. 

When, therefore, John the Baptist came out of the 

♦Mark 1:20. 



120 



Ancient Apostles — John 



wilderness preaching repentance and declaring that 
the "Kingdom of Heaven was at hand," John was one 
of the fearless young men who believed the Baptist 
and followed him. Thus he was prepared to accept 
John's testimony of Jesus after the latter was baptized 
in Jordan, and was one of the two who had the first 
interview with the Savior of the world at the begin- 
ning of His ministry. 

On the same occasion when Simon Peter and his 
brother were called as disciples of Jesus, "James the 
son of Zebedee and John were with their 

toUows Jesus p , , . , T 

lather mending their nets, and when 
Jesus called them, they immediately left the ship and 
their father and followed Him.* 

Luke tells us f that John was present at the miracu- 
lous draught of fishes, and was very much astonished 
at what he heard and saw on that occasion. It 
f es5of was one of the first lessons if not the first im- 
pressive lesson that taught him the great truth 
that obedience to Christ's words brings blessings. 

From this time on to the end of his eventful life, 
he was always in the ministry. When Jesus chose his 

disciples, John was chosen one of the spe- 
IheTwelve ^^^^ three, although he was the youngest 

member of the Twelve. 

From that time, John was in the close companion- 
ship of Jesus, and witnessed some of the most remark- 

*Matt. 4:21, 22; Luke 5:1-11. 
tLuke 5:1-11. 



With the Redeemer 



121 



able and divine incidents recorded in the history of 
Christ's ministry. He was one of the three apostles 

permitted to remain in the room when the 
ExpeH^^^^^^^ little, daughter of Jairus was restored to 

life."^ He was on the mount of Transfigura- 
tion when the Savior conversed with Moses and Elias 
and when a voice from heaven said '^This is my be- 
loved Son, hear him."f 

With Peter, James and Andrew, John was present 
on the Mount of Olives when Jesus taught them con- 
cerning the destruction of the temple, and of Christ's 
second coming. How the memory of such occasions 
must have filled his soul in after years, with rejoic- 
ing and sweet content! 

To him and Peter was entrusted the duty of mak- 
ing preparations for the Passover.^ 

At the solemn moment when the Savior said "One 
of you shall betray me," it was John the "disciple 
J whom Jesus loved" who received the an- 
swer indicating who the traitor was. 

When the gloom of Gethsemane began to weigh 
heavily upon the spirit of Jesus, John was one of the 
, ^ , three unto whom He said, "My soul is ex- 

In Gethsemane , . ^ , i i 

ceedmg sorrowiui unto death; tarry ye 
here and watch."§ 

Later that same night, when the traitor gave the kiss 
of betrayal, and the soldiers arrested Jesus, and bore 

♦Luke 8:51. fLuke 9:28. JLuke 22:8. §Mark 14:33. 



122 



Ancient Apostles — John 



Him away a prisoner, all the other dis- 
IheHighFdesi ciples fled, but John accompanied his 

Master to the house of the high priest and 
later admitted Peter, who, you remember, had "fol- 
lowed afar off." 

Though we are not told, yet we can imagine what 
this beloved disciple's feelings were as he listened to 
J rr -rir^j I the false and wicked accusations 

A Terrible Ordeal . i • t i i i i • i 

agamst his Lord, and now his heart 
must have ached as he saw Jesus beaten and scourged, 
and a crown of thorns put on His head. If He had 
wanted to call down fire from heaven and consume 
the Samaritans who refused shelter and accommoda- 
tions to his Lord, what must have been the state of 
his fiery soul when he beheld the Jews and their 
judges persecuting the Christ to death! 

How his soul must have been rent in agony as he 
saw his Savior nailed to the cross, and yet what peace 
must have come to him as he received 

A Last Request ^ , ,. ri«Ti/r r 

irom the dying lips oi his Master one oi 
the dearest commissions ever given to mortal man. As 
the three Marys and John stood by the cross, Jesus 
looked down upon them and said to his mother, 
"Woman, behold thy Son!" and to John, "Behold thy 
mother!" 

"And from that hour that disciple took her unto 
his own home." 

On the Sunday morning following the crucifixion, 
John was widi Peter when Mary Magdalene came run- 
ning to them, saying: 



With the Redeemer 



123 



. , ^ - "They have taken away the Lord out of 

At the I omb , % , , , , , 

the sepulchre, and we know not where they 
have laid him." 

As soon as the apostles heard this, they ran for the 
spot where Jesus had been buried. John being the 
younger outran Peter and was the first to see the empty 
tomb; and ''looking in, saw the linen clothes lying, yet 
went he not in." A moment later, however, he fol- 
lowed Peter into the tomb, made a careful examina- 
tion of the linen clothes and napkin that was about 
the head; but not yet realizing that Christ was to rise 
the third day, each returned to his own home. 

John was with the ten and later with the Eleven 
when Christ appeared to them in the upper room. Of 
„. „ . this and other glorious experiences he 

HisTesUmony , . • i,- r- i ttTU. ^ 

bears testimony m ms Gospel, ihat ye 
might believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and that 
believing ye might have life through His name." 



LESSON 20 



WITH PETER AND THE TWELVE 

"Love one human being purely and warmly and you will love all." 
"Love gives itself, it is not bought." 

John was one of those who, after the death and 
rescurrection of Jesus, when Simon Peter said, "I go 

a fishing" replied "We also go with you." 
of GalUee They toiled all night, and caught nothing, but 

when morning came they were told by a man 
on the shore to ''Cast tlie net on the right side of the 
ship." This they did and caught a multitude of fishes. 
Almost immediately John recognized Jesus and said 
to Peter, "It is the Lord." 

A little later, on the shore, he heard the Savior's 
admonition to Peter to feed the sheep and the lambs 
^ in the fold of Christ, and no doubt John 
shared m the leelmg oi responsibility 
that was then thrown upon the Twelve. 

It was on this occasion that Peter asked Jesus what 
would become of John, to which question Jesus made 
the significant reply, "If I will that he tarry till I 
come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." 

"Then went this saying abroad among the brethren 
that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not 
A Prophecy ^^^^ ^^^^ He shall not die; but if I will that 
he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" 



With Pete?' and the Twelve 



125 



In this connection we read in the Doctrine and Cov- 
enants'^ that John had said to the Lord, ''Give me 
power over death that I may live and bring souls 
mito thee." 

And the Lord answered, ''Verily, verily, I say unto 
thee, because thou desired this, thou shalt tarry until 
I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before na- 
tions, kindred, tongues and people." 

The Lord then told Peter that He would make John 
"as a flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall 
minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who 
dwell on the earth." 

Thus was expressed John's love not only for his 
^ Lord and Master but for all the children 

True Greatness ^ , i i • i i • 

01 men whom he desired to brmg to 
Christ and to participate in the joys of the everlasting 
gospel. By this spirit, John proved himself to have 
been one of the greatest men that ever lived ; for true 
greatness consists in losing oneself for the good of 
others. 

For about fifteen years after the Savior's ascension 
it is believed that John continued at Jerusalem and 
remained a true son to the Virgin Mary. 

I rue to 1 rust -i->k • n i • i i i 

Uurmg all that time, however, he was al- 
ways active in the ministry. 

He was with Peter going to the temple when the 
lame man at the gate Beautiful asked them for alms. 

* Section 7. 



126 



Ancient Apostles — -John 



- With Peter he exercised His faith on 

I he Impotent Man , • i i i i 

that occasion to bless the poor man who 
had never walked."^ 

John, undoubtedly, testified to the multitude who 
assembled at Solomon's porch on the day of this mir- 
Imprisoned historian has told us what he 

said. We infer from what Luke says that 
John spoke at that time; but only Peter's sermon and 
only a little of that has been preserved. 

While they were speaking the captain of the tem- 
ple arrested tliem and put them in prison. 

When they were brought out before the Council 
next day and told not to preach about Jesus any more, 
, ^ John was lust as bold as Peter in de- 

Before the Council . t^wn i • i • i • i 

clarmg. Whether it be right m the 
sight of God to hearken imto you more than God, 
judge ye, for we cannot but speak the things which 
we have seen and heard."f 

After they were released, they continued preaching 
to the people and praising the Lord for all His won- 
o . . , 7 T derful manifestations to them. The 

Spiritual Minded • • i r i i i r 

great spiritual least that resulted irom 
their labors must have filled John's soul with a divine 
peace such as he had never before experienced, for 
of all the apostles, he was the most spiritual minded. 

During this period, he was imprisoned several 
times, but never once did he waver in his determina- 

A True Servant ^^^^ people know that Jesus 

Christ was the Redeemer of the World. 

*Relate the incident, Acts 3:1-12. 
tActs 4:19-20. 



With Peter and the Twelve 



127 



He could suffer and be happy because he loved those 
whom he served. Thus in the beginning of his min- 
istry his character shone out in true greatness; for he 
was "willing, patient and strong to endure for others." 

When the Samaritans received the Gospel through 
the preaching of Philip, John accompanied Peter to 
, ^ . Samaria, and conferred the Holy Ghost by 

In bamaria i i . r ^ ^ i i 

the laymg on oi hands, upon those whom 
Philip had baptized.^ 

No doubt this was just one of many such visits he 
made during those fifteen years that he remained at 

, Jerusalem. The Twelve, the seventies, 

V arious Officers i , . i i i 

elders, priests, teachers and deacons 
were out preaching in all the cities round about Jeru- 
salem, and the three chief Apostles, Peter, James and 
John would be required, and when not required would 
be invited, to organize the branches and to meet with 
the new converts and give encouragement in their 
glorious faith. 

When the great question arose about what the Gen- 
tiles who joined the church should be required to do, 
. , ^, , John was one who sat in the council 

riUar of the Cnurcn i i i t i -n i • • i 

held at Jerusalem. Paul, writmg about 
this council, mentions James, Cephas and John who 
"seemed to be pillars." In the light of the organiza- 
tion of the Church today, we know that Peter, James, 
and John were the men who presided at that time, 
although it was James who rendered the decision tliat 
was made effective throughout all the provinces. 

*Acts 8:5-14. 



128 



Ancient Apostles — John 



After that time, we know very little of John's min- 
istry. Part of what is known will be given in the 
next lesson. We learn more about what kind 
^ithlove^ of man he was than about what he did. 

When we read his letters to tlie church and 
his Gospel, we can readily understand why Jesus 
chose him to take care of His mother Marv^ John's 
heart was full of love, and he wanted everybody to 
love everybody else. He said that anybody who 
''saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother is in 
darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother 
abideth in the light. 

"But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and 
knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness 
hath blinded his eyes. 

''I write unto you, little children, because your sins 
are forgiven you for his name's sake." In that same 
letter he says "And now, little children, abide in 
Christ, that when He shall appear, we may have con- 
fidence and not be ashamed before Him and His 
coming." 



LESSON 21 



CLOSING SCENES OF MINISTRY 

"Love was to his impassioned soul, not a mere part of its existence, 
but the whole, the very life-breath of his heart." 

The important council mentioned in the last chap- 
ter was held about 50 years after the birth of Christ 

Eighteen Years Pass (^0 A. D.) . During the next eighteen 
years J onn seems to nave been nidden 
from view. Nothing is known about what he did or 
where he went. It is presumed tliat he left Jerusalem, 
and seldom, if ever, returned. If so, then we may 
rightly conclude that Mary the mother of Jesus had 
left Jerusalem also, and left it and all her loving kin- 
dred and friends on earth for a happy, glorious meet- 
ing with her Son in their heavenly home on high. The 
dutiful and loving attention John had bestowed upon 
Mary, he is now free to give to the Church which now 
bears her Son's name. 

Undoubtedly He visited nearly all, if not all the 
important places where Christians dwelt; but most of 
his latest years seem to have been spent in Asia Minor. 

Tradition informs us that he made his home at 
Ephesus, a large and populous city of lona about 40 
miles from Smyrna. It was noted chiefly for its wick- 
edness and the beautiful temple of Diana. Some 
claim that the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene went 



I 



130 



Ancient Apostles — John 



to Ephesus with John and died there. The tradition 
. „ , is a pleasing one; for with the devotion of 
a son to his mother, as shown by J ohn, there 
is associated Mary Magdalene's love, which might 
well be expressed in the words of another beautiful 
woman, who said to her husband's mother, "Intreat 
me not to leave thee or to return from following thee: 
for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou 
lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, 
and thy God my God; Where thou diest, will I die, 
and there will I be buried."* 

From Ephesus John visited all the branches of the 
Church, laboring especially among "The Seven 
Churches in Asia." 

When John had spent several years at Ephesus a 
cruel Roman emperor, during his persecution of the 
Church, arrested him, had him carried to Rome, con- 
demned him to death, and had him plunged into boil- 
ing oil. John's life being preserved through the 
power of God, he was then banished to Patmos. All 
that John says about it is that he was "in the isle that 
is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the 
testimony of Jesus Christ." It is quite evident from 
this that he had been persecuted for his belief in the 
Gospel and for his unwavering testimony of the life, 
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was prob- 
ably the last living witness of the Savior's miracles 
and teachings. Perhaps that is why he was banished. 
But wicked men could not banish the testimony he had 

♦Ruth 1:16,17. 



I 



I 



St. John 
Xposth* afid I'lvaiijjelist 



Closing Scenes of Ministry 



131 



borne. That was planted in the hearts of thousands 
of sincere believers, and like seeds sown in fertile soil, 
would grow and bear rich harvests for ages to come. 

Nor did banishment injure the aged apostle, for he 
was not alone even on that uninhabited and barren 
rock. One Sunday morning, or the "^'Lord's Day" as 
he called it, he ''heard behind him a great voice, as of 
a trumpet" that said to him, ''What thou seest write 
in a book and send it unto the seven churches which 
are in Asia." He turned, and saw the Son of Man 
clothed with a garment dovm to the foot, and bound 
with a golden girdle. As he beheld his Lord wrapped 
in such divine splendor, "he fell at his feet as dead." 
But the Savior, John says, "laid his right hand upon 
me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first and the 
last, I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I 
am alive forever more." He was again commanded 
to write all he had witnessed and what would yet be 
shown him in vision. Thus was given to the seven 
churches of Asia, and seubsequently to the world, what 
is now known as "Revelation," the last book in the 
Bible, but the first one written by its author. 

Upon the death of Domitian, the cruel emperor who 
had banished him, the Apostle was permitted to return 
to Ephesus, where he continued his preaching, writing, 
and testimony. 

, , , ^ . . Besides "Revelation," he wrote his 

John s Writings ^ , j i • -n • ^i 

Lrospel and nis three Lpistles. 
"John's second Epistle should be of special inter- 
est to the young. From it we infer that there were 



132 



Ancient Apostles — John 



two Christian homes, in each of which John took de- 
light. The motliers were sisters. His letter is ad- 
dressed to ''The Elect Lady" or, as she is sometimes 
called, the Lady Electa and her children. John tells 
of his love and tliat of otliers for them — mother and 
children — because of their Christian character. He 
tells of his great joy because of the children walking 
in die truth, living as children should live who have 
learned of the teachings of Christ. 

It is said that w^hen he became so old and feeble 
that he could not walk to church, nor preach to his 
people, his loving friends would carry him to the 
place of meeting. On these occasions, he would re- 
peat again and again. "My dear children, love one 
another." One day some asked him, "Master, why 
dost thou always say this?" He answered. "This is 
what the Lord commands you ; and this, if you do it, is 
sufficient." 

It is said that he lived to be over one hundred 
years of age, but of his last days there is nothing def- 
inite of record. We do know, however, that he survived 
most bitter persecution, outlived his wicked persecut- 
ors, instructed by his life and teachings thousands in 
the Way of life, and is blessing many thousands in 
the world today, by his lofty and childlike Christian 
spirit. 

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that 
v/hich is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he 
that doeth evil hath not seen God." 



PART FOUR— PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS 



LESSON 22 
SAUL OF TARSUS 

"Good company, and good discourses are the very sinews 
of virtue." 

At the time that Peter and Andrew, James and John 
were boys playing in Bethsaida, on the shores of Gali- 
. „ . . . lee, there was another bris^ht, clever 

A Benjaminite i . i i i i . i i . 

little lad playmg and studymg m a 
town about three hundred miles from them, whom they 
were to know in after years, first as a bitter enemy and 
afterwards as a friend and brother. This boy's name 
was Saul, and he lived in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia. 
He was a Jew and belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, 
the youngest son of Jacob. Benjamin's father, you re- 
member, kept him home when the other sons first went 
to Egypt to buy com. The tribe of Benjamin was said 
to have been valorous; and in this respect, you will 
see that Saul was a true Benjaminite. 

Of Saul's parents and boyhood days we know very 
little. His father, at one time, lived in Palestine, and 

would, of course, teach his son to be a 
o/^Famt7y^^^^^ 8^^^ orthodox Jew. Of his mother we 

know nothing, but we may be sure that 



134 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



she watched over him carefully, guided him in his 
games and in his studies and inspired him, even in 
his youth, to desire to grow up to be a great and use- 
ful man. Undoubtedly, this was the kind of mother 
he had, for all great men have been blest with just 
such noble mothers. We are not told whether he had 
any brothers ; but he had at least one sister, whom he 
always loved and to whom he was a true and noble 
brother all his life. 

Saul was a good student, and attended school prob- 
ably from the time he was six years old until he be- 
^ I o T came a man. But in those days, school 

A Crooa btuaent , , , i i i i rm i i 

boys had no school books, ihey would 
just listen to what their teacher told them, remember 
it, and try to be able to tell it again when asked to do 
so. The principal study in the schoolroom, at that 
time, was the holy scriptures. Of course, they did 
not have the Bible then as we have it now, but they had 
the Old Testament, and could learn all about Abra- 
ham, Isaac, and Jacob, the children of Israel, King 
Saul, King David, King Solomon and the prophets. 
Thus, he was taught early in his life to look forward 
to the Messiah who should be king of the Jews. 

Among the Jews were found dilferent sects or re- 
ligions, chief among which were the Pharisees and 

the Sadducees. In Saul's day, Pharisees 
SaTducee^^^ Were the most popular of all the sects, and 

held most of the highest offices in the state 
and the church. They believed in the oral law as de- 
livered from God to Moses, as well as in the written 



Saul of Tarsus 



135 



law. They believed also in the resurrection of the 
body. But they made long and frequent prayers, not 
only in the synagogue and temple, but in the streets, 
so they could be heard of men. In other things, too, 
they were very hypocritical. 

The Sadducees did not believe in a bodily resur- 
rection. You will see, later, how Saul used to good 
advantage this difference of belief between these two 
sects. 

Saul was a Pharisee; and a good Pharisee, too. He 
was just as sincere in his belief and education as any 
A Pharisee could be. If Saul had been 

a hypocritical Pharisee, he probably 
never would have found the truth, but being sincere, 
that is, always doing what he thought was right, he 
was led to the Gospel. 

There is another thing to learn about this boy, "Saul 
of Tarsus;" viz., that he was bom a Roman citizen. 

Tarsus, an exceedingly rich and populous 
Citizen^ city, was a Roman municipium, or free 
corporation. This means that the freedom 
of Rome (which ruled all those countries at that time) 
had been given to the freemen of Tarsus. This free- 
dom had been granted because the men of Tarsus had 
defended two emperors of Rome during a rebellion 
against them. 

Thus, Saul, though a Jew, was a freebom Roman 
citizen. In this double capacity, he had two 
names, Saul and Paul; the first his Jewish name and 
the latter his Roman or Latin name. 



136 Ancient A postles — Paul 



As has been said, Saul was a student; but he was 
industrious, not only widi his head, but also with his 
, ^ , hands. He was a tent-maker. Tliis trade 

A I ent-maker , i i i -n i t 

he learned when he was still a boy. It 
was a constant practice of die Jew^s to bring dieir chil- 
dren to some honest calling diat, in case of necessit}', 
they might provide for diemselves by the labor of their 
o^vn hands. The time came when Paul, diough an 
apostle, labored at inter^^als for tsventy-nine years at 
the trade his father had taught him. It was during such 
times diat he wrote "Tliese hands have ministered unto 
my necessities." 

Vslien Saul had completed die studies as given in 
the Jewish schools at Tarsus, and had learned his 
, trade, he desired to attend college. He was 

LramaiieL ^ ^ i ^ ^ r r 

then, probably, about lourteen years oi age. 
There were Gentile universities near his home, but, 
as he wanted to become a Rabbi, he went to Jeru- 
salem, and became a student in die famous '"School 
of Hillel." The president of this noted institution of 
learning was, "a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor 
of die law had in reputation among all die people."* 
It is supposed diat he was a son of Simeon who was 
in the Temple when the little baby Jesus was blessed, 
and who said, ''Lord, now lettest Tliou diy servant de- 
part in peace; for mine eyes have seen Tliy salvation." 

But though Gamaliel was the most learned man of 
his day, he did not know that the Messiah had come. 
Evidendy, he did not believe what his father had told 
him about the child Jesus. 

•AcU 5:34. 



Saul of Tarsus 



137 



Under the instruction and influence of his great 
teacher, Saul continued for several years studying in 
Hebrew and Greek, and memorizing all the import- 
ant commandments which the old Testament con- 
tained. 

Saul completed his course under Gamaliel, and 
probably returned to Cilicia. In the meantime, Jesus 
had been crucified and a bitter persecution against 
some of His disciples had begun. The first to suffer 
Stephen ^^^^ during this persecution was Stephen, 
one of the seven deacons chosen to look after 
the funds for tlie poor. Stephen was a very faithful 
servant "full of faith and the Holy Ghost." He de- 
clared that Jesus was the Savior of the world, and 
that all men must believe in His name if they would 
be saved. Stephen knew that the Pharisees were wrong 
in what they thought was necessary to salvation, and 
he, imdoubtedly, told them so. At any rate he dis- 
puted witli them in the synagogue. 

Being defeated in their disputations, the angr}^ Jews 
dragged Stephen before the Sanhedrin and accused 
him of blasphemy. Even in court he still bore testi- 
mony of the divinity, death and persecu- 
Santldn^''' tion of the Savior, which so maddened 
the wicked Jews that they "gnashed on 
him with their teeth," and finally dragged him out 
of the court room, and stoned him to death. 

Among those blinded Pharisees who disputed with 
Stephen, was the young, learned student, Saul of 



138 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Tarsus. And when "they cried out with 
SteSs%eath ^ ^^^^ ^oice, and stopped their ears, 

and ran upon him with one accord," 
Saul consented unto his death, held the cloaks of the 
murderers and stood by and witnessed the cruel death 
of this first Christian martyr. Saul was sincere in be- 
lieving that Stephen was an enemy to the Jewish re- 
ligion. Probably Stephen recognized this when, just 
as he was dying he prayed, "Lord, lay not this sin to 
their charge." 



LESSON 23 



SAUL'S CONVERSION 

"Better is the wrong with sincerity, rather than the right 
with falsehood." 

After the death of Stephen, "there was a great per- 
secution against the church which was at Jerusalem; 
, „ and they were all scattered abroad, 

A Bitter Persecutor , , , . r t i i 

throughout the regions oi Judea and 
Samaria." One of the Saints' most energetic and per- 
sistent persecutors, during those terrible days, was the 
blinded Pharisee, Saul, of Tarsus. So determined 
was he to put an end to what he thought was a heresy 
that he secured the right as an officer of the Sanhedrin 
to arrest the followers of Jesus wherever he found 
them. He went from house to house, dragging men 
from their wives and children. He even arrested the 
women, and thrust them in prison! Surely the cries 
and piteous pleadings of the little children must have 
rent even his bitter heart almost more than the mar- 
tyrdom of the faithful Stephen. Surely, as he forced 
men and women away from their homes, the blanched 
faces of crouching children, and their heart-broken 
sobs must have imprinted upon his bigoted soul im- 
pressions that would humble him if not haunt him 
all the days of his life! Only one thing could give 
„. ^. him comfort in later life as he looked back 

His bmcenty , « , . ^ _ . 

upon those awiul experiences. It was this, 



140 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



as expressed in his own words: "I verily thought with 
myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the 
name of Jesus of Nazareth." Saul was sincere in what 
he was doing. He did not believe tliat Jesus Christ 
was the Son of God, and tliought it would be pleasing 
to his Father in Heaven to make every believer in 
Christ deny His name. 

So Saul "made havoc of the church;" and when he 
had eitlier imprisoned or driven out of Jerusalem 
every man he could find who confessed the 
TttcZck Christ, with his soul "yet breatliing out 
threatenings and slaughter against the dis- 
ciples of the Lord/' he asked tlie High Priest for 'let- 
ters to Damascus to the synagogue, that if he found 
any of this way, whetlier they were men or women, he 
might bring them bound into Jerusalem."'^ 

Damascus is about one hundred and fift}' miles 
north of Jerusalem, so it would take Saul and his at- 
Doubt ^^^^^^^^^ about a week to travel the distance. 

Perhaps during those few days of comparative 
leisure, he began to wonder whetlier what he was 
doing was right or not. Perhaps the shining face of 
the dying Stephen and the mart^T's last prayer began 
to sink more deeply into his soul tlian it had done be- 
fore. Little children's cries for tlieir parents whom 
Saul had bound began to pierce his soul more keenly, 
and make him feel miserably unhappy as he looked 
forward to more experiences of that kind in Damascus. 
Perhaps he wondered whether the work of the Lord, 

♦Acts 9:2. 



Saul's Conversion 



141 



if he were really engaged in it, would make him feel 
so restless and bitter. He was soon to learn that only 
the work of the evil one produces those feelings, and 
that true service for the Lord, always brings peace and 
contentment. 

But, whatever his thoughts and feelings were, he 
was hastening on with a determination to arrest every 
Light ^^^^^^^^ Jesus whom he could find. As he 
neared the city, however, "Suddenly there shined 
round about him a light from heaven." Saul fell to 
the earth, and the men with him stood around him 
speechless. 

From that moment, Saul was a changed man. When 
he fell to the earth, he was a proud, haughty Pharisee, 
a persecutor of innocent people: when he arose, he 
was a humble, submissive seeker after truth, a repent- 
ant follower of Him whom he had been persecuting. 
From the midst of the light, came a voice saying : 

"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" 
ny, r • "Who art thou. Lord?" asked Saul. 

I he Revelation t i i 99 

1 am Jesus whom thou persecutest, 
and then He added, in effect, "The more you persecute 
me the worse you feel; and the more your conscience 
troubles you." Fighting the Lord is just like kicking 
a "prickly pear," the harder you kick the worse it 
hurts. 

When Saul realized this, and knew he had been 
doing wrong, he asked, "What wilt Thou have me 
to do?" 

"Arise, go into the city, and it will be told thee 



142 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



what thou must do/' not what Saul would like to do; 
. ^ . . not what he might do ; but what he must 

A Lommission i • r i i i i i r i t i 

do, u he would be accepted oi the Lord. 
Saul had been blessed with eyesight but had been 
blinded spiritually. Now he was blind physically, but 
light was coming into his soul. As 
SfSeef'''' ^rose he could see nothing, and his 
attendants led him into the city, where 
he lodged in the house of Judas, in a street called 
"Straight." 

In the meantime, the Lord, in a vision, said to one 
of His servants called Ananias, "Arise and go into 
Ananias Street Called "Straight," and inquire in the 
house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus; 
for, behold, he prayeth." 

But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard by 
many of this man, how much evil he hath done to 
Thy saints of Jerusalem; and here he hath authority 
from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy 
name." Ananias was probably one whom Saul would 
have arrested first. 

The Lord told Ananias to go as directed for He 
had chosen Saul to bear His name, "before the Gen- 
tiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." 

Ananias did as directed; and when he entered the 
house of Judas, he found Saul not only penitent but 
^ , . , . . , blind. All the proud Pharisee's bit- 

baul Administered to ^ , , 

terness was gone and he was praymg 
for light — light in his eyes and light in his soul. 
His prayers were answered, for God's humble serv- 



Saul's Conversion 



143 



ant laid his hands upon him and said, "Brother Saul, 
the Lord, even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the 
way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest 
receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." 

And Saul received his sight immediately, and arose 
and was baptized. This was one thing he had to do 
„ . ^. , if he would be numbered in the Church 

Receives Sight r /^i . ^ rpi . . r . 

01 Christ. Inus m the conversion oi this 
great man, we find illustrated the application of sev- 
eral principles of the Gospel, viz.: Faith, in Jesus 
Christ; Repentance from wrong doing; Baptism and 
the recognition of Christ's authority on earth. 



LESSON 24 



IN ANOTHER SCHOOL 

"All the scholastic scaffolding falls as a ruined edifice, 
before one single word — faith." 

For several days immediately following his won- 
derful conversion and his restoration to sight, Saul 
- , ^ , "was with the disciples who were at 

I eacners Compared 99 o i i i i 

Damascus. haul had now entered 
another school, but how different from the one in 
which he sat at the feet of the learned Gamaliel! 
There he listened to instruction from the most learned 
men of his day; now he is listening to men who were 
thought unlearned. There he received training of the 
intellect; now he is receiving training of the soul. 
There he studied blindly; now he studies, truly see- 
ing! His instructor is one of the faithful men whom 
he had despised and whom he came to arrest. "Not 
Peter, or James or John, no great and eminent apostle 
need be sent for, to instruct the learned and highly 
talented Saul; but Ananias, some poor, simple-hearted 
Christian of whom the Divine word has never before 
made mention, is fully sufficient, in God's hand, to 
teach this most richly endowed of all the early con- 
verts." 



In Another School 



145 



As he listened, hour after hour, during those few 
memorable days, his soul became fired with a true 
^ zeal; and we can imagine hearing him say 
to his new teachers, 

"Set on your foot. And with a heart new fir'd I follow you." 

"And straightway he preached Christ in the syna- 
gogues, that He is the Son of God." 

We are not told whether any of the men who accom- 
panied him to Damascus became converted. Perhaps 
, . , one or two did ; but, undoubtedly, some of 

Jews Amazed . i o i i i i • o 

them thought baul had turned traitor, bo 
also did the Jews in Damascus, who were amazed, 
and said to one another, "Is not this he that destroyed 
them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and 
came here for that intent, that he might bring them 
bound unto the chief priests?" But the more they op- 
posed him, the more eloquently he defended the name 
of Jesus and proved to them that Jesus is the Christ. 

After a few days of fiery disputations in the syna- 
gogues, Saul concluded to leave Damascus and go into 
retirement; so, bidding his new friends 
of^Solitude good-bye, he went into Arabia in the moun- 
tains near the Red Sea. Here he received 
instruction in the School of Solitude. 

"O sacred solitude! divine retreat! 
Choice of the prudent! envy of the great! 
By thy Pure stream, or in thy waving shade, 
We court fair wisdom." 

Like Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and even the 
Savior Himself, Paul now sought to be alone with 
God, and to learn how to get his spirit in communion 
with the Holy Spirit. 



146 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



How long he remained there, we do not know. All 
he says about this journey is: "I went into Arabia, and 
returned again to Damascus." 

His Flight From Damascus 

No sooner had he returned to the city of his con- 
version, than he began to preach again in the syna- 
gogues. Again the Jews began to dispute him, and 
again he confounded them. Day after day, and week 
after week the religious controversy continued until 
the Jews could stand it no longer, and "took council 
to kill him." 

Around the city of Damascus was a high wall, and 
no one could go in or out except through the gates. 

Therefore, when the Jews decided to kill 
Guardfd^^ Saul, the first thing they did was to make 
sure he could not escape. So they placed 
guards at every gate, and "watched day and night to 
kill him." 

But Saul had his friends as well as enemies, and 
he had one Friend who had chosen him for a great 
Friends useful mission, and as long as Saul was 
faithful, his life would be spared until this 
special work was done. Through inspiration or other- 
wise, Saul knew that his enemies were lying in wait 
for him, so he kept out of their way. 

Fortunately, one of his friends lived in a house 
built right near the wall of the city; and from here, 
^ , «y ,1 some of the disciples assisted Saul to 

Over the Wall ^ i • • i i i i 

escape. 1 hey put him m a basket, and then 



In Another School 



147 



watching carefully to see that no enemies were in 
sight, they carried Saul to the top of the wall, and let 
him down on the other side. Thus it happened that 
while the wicked guards were watching day and night 
to entrap Saul, that disciple of the Master was making 
his journey back to Jerusalem. 

With the Disciples in Jerusalem 

Three years before, he left Jerusalem as an oflScer 
of the Sanhedrin, bearing a special commission, and 
accompanied by attendants and officers. He 
ferusdem ^^^^ enmity in his heart for every per- 
son who professed to believe in Jesus Christ. 
Now he journeys back alone, rejected by those whom 
he had served, a fugitive from the Jews who, a few 
years before, awaited to welcome him as a hero! But 
Saul is happier now alone as he is than when he went 
in pomp to arrest God's servants. And yet he can look 
forward to no welcome in Jerusalem! His old friends 
and teachers think he has turned traitor to their cause, 
and the Apostles of Jesus doubt his conversion. "They 
were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was 
a disciple." 

But there was one, an old friend and true, a class- 
mate, and fellow townsman who extended to Saul the 
Barnabas ^^^^ hand of fellowship. That was Barnabas, 
who "took him, and brought him to the apos- 
tles," declaring how Saul had been converted by a 
light, and the voice of the Lord, and how he had 
preached in Damascus in the name of Jesus. 



148 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



With this testimony, the Apostles accepted Saul, and 
gave him their companionship. Soon Saul was preach- 
ing in Jerusalem as boldly as he had in Damascus. In 
his disputes widi die Grecians, he evidently confound- 
ed diem as he had diose in Damascus, and with the 
same effect — ''Tliey went about to slay him." 

T^Tien the brediren learned diis, '"diey brought him 
do^NTi to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus" back 
„ , „ to his old home, to his parents and to his 

Back to I arsus . ^ , , ^ , ^ 

Sister. But what a changed man irom 
what he was when he left to practice in Jerusalem. In 
name he was still "Saul of Tarsus;" but in nature he 
was Paul the disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Called to Assist Barnabas 

During the persecution in which Stephen was mar- 
tyred, the Saints scattered to different places, and 
wherever they went, diey preached die Glad Tidings 
of Great Joy. ''And die hand of die Lord was with 
them, and a great number believed and turned unto 
the Lord." 

A large number of these converts gathered in An- 
tioch and it was there as you already know diat the 
^, . . Saints were first called Christians. It was 

Christians ^ t i i , 

nrst applied to them in derision just as tlie 
word "Mormon" was first applied to die Church in 
this day, but later was accepted as an honorable title. 

Barnabas, who "was a good man, and full of the 
Holy Ghost and of faith" was appointed to look after 



In Another School 



149 



the Saints in that great city. Finding a great 
Seeks^Saul i^issionary opportunity in that field, and de- 
siring able assistance in carr^ang on the great 
work assigned him, Barnabas decided to go to Tarsus, 
his old home, and try to find Paul. ^^Tiat a happy 
time these old playmates must have had when they 
met once again in the familiar scenes of their boy- 
hood days! We are not told what they did, nor what 
they said, nor what their old friends and relatives 
thought of their new religion. We do know, 
however, that Paul accepted the call to go with Barna- 
bas to Antioch. There ''they assembled themselves in ^ 
the Church, and taught much people." This seems to 
have been Paul's first definite assignment in the 
Church. 



LESSON 25 



SPECIAL MESSENGERS TO JERUSALEM 

"God has so ordered that men, being in need of each other, should 
learn to love each other, and bear each other's burdens." 

"To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is God-like." 

While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch, there 
came "prophets from Jerusalem," one of whom was 
Agabus ^^^^^ Agabus. He is thought to have been one 
of the Seventy chosen by the Savior; but just 
what priesthood and what position in the Church he 
held we do not know for certain. But he must have 
been a righteous man, and filled with the Holy Ghost, 
for he could foretell, through the inspiration of the 
Spirit, things that other people, by their own intelli- 
gence, could not see. At the time of which we are 
speaking he prophesied that "there should be a great 
dearth throughout all the world," meaning that there 
would be a famine in the land, and that people would 
go hungry. 

The disciples had faith in Agabus and believed to 
be true what he said. They knew of some of the 
. Saints in Judea who could not stand a 

Offerings to roor ^ , . p ^ , i i • 

lamme; m lact, many oi them had given 
all they had to the Church ; so "every man according 
to his abilitv determined to send relief unto the 



Special Messengers to Jerusalem 



151 



brethren who dwelt in Judea." Paul and Barnabas 
were chosen as the messengers of relief. 

It was well they did so, for the famine came just 
as Agabus had said it would. Luke tells us that it hap- 
Famine P^^^^ ^^^^ Claudius Caesar (44 

A. D.), and profane historians inform us that 
it was so severe that even the emperor himself was 
insulted in the market place by those who were 
starving. 

At about the time that the two elders were sent 
from Antioch to Jerusalem, there was a bitter perse- 
cution waged against the Saints; and 
uZdlTue^ld "Herod the king began to vex certain of 
the Church, and he killed James, the 
brother of John, with the sword." Those were the days 
in which Peter was imprisoned and chained to his 
guards, but through the miraculous intervention of 
God, was delivered by an angel. Paul and Barnabas 
were probably present in the house of Mary the mother 
of John Mark, joining in prayer for the preservation 
of Peter's life, when, as we have already learned in 
the lessons on Peter, Rhoda announced Peter at the 
door. 

After witnessing this wonderful manifestation of 
the power of God in behalf of His servants, Paul and 

Barnabas probably witnessed how God some- 
Caesarea tiuies punishes the wicked. If so, it happened 

on this wise. Their duty as messengers for 
the Saints in Antioch had been faithfully performed, 
and the relief sent to the members of the Church in 



152 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Judea properly delivered to those who should have 
it in charge. They had spent many days renewing old 
friendships, and enjoying the companionship, even in 
persecution, of the leaders and members of the Church 
of Christ. They were now ready to return and re- 
port their labors to the Church in Antioch. Their re- 
turn journey took them to Caesarea. Perhaps they 
visited Cornelius, whose home, you remember, was 
there. At any rate, some who have carefully studied 
the life and travels of St. Paul tell us that on his re- 
turn from Jerusalem at this time, he witnessed the 
death of the wicked King Herod. Weed describes the 
scene as follows: 

"The Roman Emperor Claudius had obtained great 
victories in Great Britain. On his return to Rome 
there was great rejoicing. Herod thought he would 
gain great favor with the emperor by a grand festival 
y . rr 7 i^ his houor in Caesarea, to which he 

Death of Herod , i r r i r\ i 

hastened irom Jerusalem. On the morn- 
ing of the second day the theatre was filled with a 
mass of human beings to witness the inhuman exhibi- 
tion of gladiators who fought one another for public 
amusement. Herod appeared in a magnificent robe, 
sparkling widi silver. As the rays of the early morn- 
ing sun fell upon him, the eyes of the beholders were 
dazzled by the brilliant robe. Flattered by their fool- 
ish cries of admiration he made an oration to the peo- 
ple who gave a shout, saying, ^It is the voice of a God 
and not of a man.' He was willing to be so called, 
though this was blasphemy, giving to a man what be- 



Special Messengers to Jerusalem 153 



longs to God alone. 'Immediately the angel of the 
Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory." 
This was very different from the experience of Peter 
in prison when the angel of the Lord came upon him, 
and smote him upon the side; and led him from 
death. 

"The smiting of Herod by the angel was with a 
dreadful disease such as had caused the death of his 
grandfather. He was carried from the theatre to his 
palace where he lingered five days in agony until 
death closed his life in the fifty-fourth year of his age. 
It was the fourth year of his reign over the region 
where had ruled his grandfather, whose wicked ex- 
ample he had followed to a like inglorious end." 

"When in the theatre the scene was suddenly 
changed from the gladiatorial and other wicked 
amusements to the judgment on the king, the multitude 
fled, rending their clothes according to the custom in 
horror." 

All these things and many more, Paul and Barnabas 
would report to the Saints upon their return to Anti- 
JohnMark L^kc informs us that after they had 

fulfilled their ministry they returned from 
Jerusalem, and "took with them John whose surname 
was Mark." 

Interesting meetings were held in Antioch, at which 
the report of the mission of Paul and Barnabas was 
^, „ given. In attendance at these meeting's and 

The Report ^ . i . • a • i i • 

residing m Antiocn at the time were cer- 
tain prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Lucius of 



154 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Cyrene, and Manean, which had been brought up with 
Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to 
the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, "separate 
me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have 
called them." They had performed one duty well and 
faithfully, and were now better prepared for a greater 
one for which the Lord had chosen them. This was a 
special mission to the Gentiles. 

Some time later, after fasting and prayer, some of 
the prophets and teachers laid their hands on the 
chosen missionaries, set them apart, and bade them 
prepare for their journey. 



I 



LESSON 26 



FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY 

"Let your religion be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. A 
lighthouse sounds no drum, it beats no gong; yet far over the 
waters its friendly light is seen by the mariner." 

Soon after the special meetings mentioned in the 
last chapter, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark started 
on their mission, which is now known as Paul's first 
missionary tour. 

Leaving the famous city of Antioch, in Syria, they 
sailed down the river to Seleucia, a seaport town on 
At Cyprus Mediterranean Sea. Here they took the 
boat on the open sea, and sailed southwest- 
ward to the island of Cyprus. 

Landing at Salamis, a port of Cyprus, the mission- 
aries began their labors at once, preaching the word 
At Salamis synagogue of the Jews. Here 

Barnabas was at home, and undoubtedly ex- 
perienced great joy in preaching the Gospel to his old 
friends and playmates. But he must have been deep- 
ly grieved to see how many of them rejected his mes- 
sage, and continued in sin and idolatry. 

The Gentiles on this island worshipped the God- 
dess Venus, to whom they built a temple and offered 
sacrifices. 

Their religion, instead of making them purer in 



156 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



their thoughts and more virtuous in their actions, made 
^ „ them more sinful. So Paul and his 

Loll to Kepentance * r i i i 

companions lound the people very 
wicked indeed. Wherever they went, these three mis- 
sionaries preached the only true Gospel, and called 
on men ''everywhere to repent." 

They traveled the entire length of Cyprus, a dis- 
tance of one hundred miles, telling the people about 
Christ the Redeemer of the world. 

At Paphos 

On the southwestern coast of Cyprus was the chief 
city of the island named Paphos. Here is where the 

Roman governor, or, as Luke says, the 
HlZZspel "deputy of the country," lived. As was 

their custom, soon after the missionaries 
entered the city they proclaimed their message to the 
people. When the governor, Sergius Paulus, heard 
about them, he "called for Barnabas and Paul, and 
desired to hear the word of God." Luke says he was 
"a prudent man," so we conclude that he was sincere 
in his desire to know the truth. 

ElYxMas the Sorcerer 
But there was living in the deputy-house at the time 
a man who was not sincere, and who claimed to be a 
sorcerer. He rejected Paul's message^ 
Refe^TsGospel ^nd opposcd his teachings. Bar-Jesus 
was his right name, and he was a Jew^ 
and a false prophet. Paul read his wicked heart, and 
knew that because of selfishness and love of money he 
rejected the Gospel. 



First Missionary Journey 



157 



"Then Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes 
on him and said, full of subtlety and all mischief, 
thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteous- 
ness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of 
the Lord? 

"And now behold tlie hand of the Lord is upon 
thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a 
season. 

"And immediately there fell on him a mist and a 
darkness ; and he went about seeking some one to lead 
him by the hand." 

If in his darkness he had let the messengers of 
Light lead him they would have given him eternal 
sight, just as Paul had received it through Ananias, in 
Damascus. But we are led to believe that he re- 
mained blind and bitter. 

Sergius Paulus, however, believed, "being aston- 
ished at the doctrine of the Lord." Many others be- 
lieved also, and in the wicked town of 
Believes^^^^ Paphos, where the revellers worshipped 
the goddess of love, a church was organ- 
ized, and a little body of Christians came together to 
worship the true God and His Son Jesus Christ. 

In Pamphylia 

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed 
northward to Perga in Pamphylia. At this place 

something happened about which we wish 
R^^S"^'^ kne.^ ^ove. All that Luke says about 

it is this: 



158 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



"And John departing from there returned to 
Jerusalem." 

We know that later, this circumstance became a 
matter of sharp dispute bet^veen Barnabas and Paul, 
but just why John wished to return we are not in- 
formed. Perhaps he had not intended to travel so 
far; or it may be that matters at home needed his 
attention; or he might have been over sensitive, and 
felt that ''two were company but three were a crowd;" 
but whatever the cause Paul and Barnabas had to 
continue their journey without the young man Mark. 
Later, he resumed his missionary work traveling with 
Barnabas. There is no record of his traveling again 
with Paul; although the latter wrote of him later as 
"si comfort, and a fellow worker unto the kingdom 
of God." 

In Pisidia 

From Perga in Pamphylia, Paul and Barnabas con- 
tinued north to Antioch in Pisidia. Day after day, 
these two missionaries traveled on foot 
'lainPa^sei^^^' th^ough a mountainous region, where 
very few people resided. Sometimes, 
perhaps, they could find lodging with some shepherd, 
but more often, they would sleep in caves or among 
the trees. But they had a message of salvation in 
their hearts and so were happy. After about seven 
days of wearisome and dangerous travel, they reached 
Antioch in Pisidia. 

When the Sabbath day came, as was their custom, 
the missionaries went into the synagogue, and sat 



First Missionary Journey 



159 



Inthe Synago'^ue Congregation. After the 

leaders had read the law and the proph- 
ets, they asked the visitors if they had ''any word of 
exhortation for the people." At this, Paul stood up 
and delivered a most impressive sermon, so much so, 
that the people invited Paul to speak again on the 
next Sabbath. Many who were present accepted the 
Gospel."^ 

''And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole 
city together to hear the word of God. 

"But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they w^ere 
filled with env}', and spake against those things which 
^ ^ were spoken by Paul, contradicting and 

I urn to Gentiles , -, ^ . rr^^ . . . j 

blaspliemmg.' Ineir opposition and 
contradiction made the missionaries only more ear- 
nest and emphatic. Finally, when it was apparent 
that the Jews would not accept the truth, Paul and 
Barnabas waxed bold and said, "It was necessary 
that the word of God should first have been spoken to 
you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge your- 
selves unworthy of everlasting life, lo we turn to the 
Gentiles." \^Tien the Gentiles heard this announce- 
ment, they were delighted and many of them accepted 
the principles of tlie Gospel. 

But the Jews were jealous: they became filled with 
envy and determined to drive the missionaries "out of 
, , , their coasts." This thev did with the aid of 

lens Jealous i i i , ' -, . i i 

the devout and honorable women and the 
chief men of the city." The persecution became so 

*See Paul's semion, Acts 13:14-41. 



160 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



bitter that Paul and Barnabas "shook off the dust 
of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium." 

In Iconium 

Filled with the joy that comes from true service to 
one's fellowmen, Paul and Barnabas began their 
preaching in Iconium. Entering the syna- 
Synaglgue S^S^^ ^^^^^ they had done in the city 
from which they had just been driven, they 
spoke "boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony unto 
the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders 
to be done by their hands." 

Jews and Greeks also rallied around the standard 
as unfurled by these great missionaries ; but Jews and 

Again Opposed ^^^^^^ ^^^^ organized to oppose them. 

The result was that the city was divided; 
"and part held with the Jews and part with the 
Apostles." 

Hearing that a plot was on foot to do them injury, 
and to stone them, Paul and Barnabas withdrew from 
the city, and went to "Lystra and Derbe, cities of 
Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about." 



LESSON 27 



FIRST MISSIONARY J OmmY— Continued 
At Lystra and Derbe 

"Outward attacks and troubles rather fix than unsettle the Christian, 
as tempests from without only serve to root the oak 
more firmly in the ground." 

"As sure as ever God puts His children in the furnace, He will be in 
the furnace with them." 

At Lystra, Paul and Barnabas found a people who 
were almost entirely heathen for they worshipped 
Jupiter and Mercury and other false deities, 
malln^ and knew little or nothing about the true 
God. There were Jews amongst them, but 
not of sufficient numbers even to build a synagogue. 

The country was wild and rugged, and the inhabi- 
tants were like the country. They were "villagers of 
little learning, and rude in dress and manner." Such 
people are usually shy of strangers, and slow to ac- 
cept anything new. But once they begin to get confi- 
dence in the stranger, they may be easily swayed by 
him; not having very definite opinions of their own. 

The doctrine preached by Paul and Barnabas was 
new to them, and after a time began to arouse their 
curiosity, and then awaken their interest. 

Some of the most intelligent comprehended the 
truth, and accepted it. Lest you boys and girls might 



162 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



think that there were no superior people among these 
heathens, you must be reminded of the fact that in 

Lystra there was at least one choice 
AmlZ^rZt' family of whose membership in the 

Church the Bible makes mention, and in 
Derbe there were others. 

In these towns, out of the persecution and affliction 
heaped upon them by the ignorant and wicked, Paul 
Timothy Bamabas brought to the faith some of the 
choicest members of the early Church. Among 
these were Timothy, whom Paul afterwards called his 
son; Eunice, Timothy's mother, and Lois, Timothy's 
grandmother, whose "unfeigned faith" Paul com- 
mended in later years. Undoubtedly, the friendship 
alone of these noble people more than paid Paul for 
all the persecution he suffered during this first 
mission. 

But to the people generally, the message was 
strange and incomprehensible. They could not sep- 
arate the doctrine of Christ from their heatheni deities 
as was shown by a remarkable experience. 

Paul and Bamabas and a few converts were hold- 
ing a meeting one day in the "open air." In the audi- 
A Miracle ^^^^ ^ "impotent in his feet," 

who had been a cripple from birth, and 
who had never walked. This fact, of course, all 
the people knew, for many of them were ac- 
quainted with him, and had seen him carried to 
the meeting. "The same heard Paul speak," and 
conviction entered his weary heart that what Paul 



First Missionary Journey 



163 



said was true. Paul looked at him, and ''perceiving 
that he had faith to be healed," said, ''Stand upright 
on thy feet." This he commanded by the power of the 
Redeemer. 

"The man leaped to his feet and walked." When 
the people saw this, they created an uproar in the city, 
^^^^^ and they said in their language, which was a 
mixture of Greek and Syrian: 

"The Gods have come down to us in the likeness 
of men," and they named Paul and Barnabas after 
their gods. Barnabas was tall, so they called him 
Jupiter; and Paul, being short and a gifted speaker, 
they called Mercury, because Mercury was supposed 
to preside over learning and eloquence. 

Some time after the meeting, the priests of Jupiter, 
who officiated in the temple of Jupiter that was in the 
^ ^/r o -r city, decided to offer sacrifice to their 

To Offer Sacrifice \ • p i • t» i i t» 

gods as personined m raul and Bama* 
has. So with the people, they gathered at the gates 
of the city, brought oxen and began to prepare to 
offer sacrifice. 

When Paul and Barnabas heard of it, they ran 
among the people, and "rent their clothes" in protesta- 
. . „ tion against such sacrifice. To rend 

Missionaries rrotest i . i i 

their clothes was to express intense 
feeling and the people so understood it. Besides 
doing this they cried: "Sirs, why do ye these 
things? We also are men of like passions with you, 
and preach unto you that ye should turn from these 



164 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and 
earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein." 

However, they could scarcely make the people re- 
frain from worshipping them; but there were certain 
n 7c J Jews there who had followed the mission 

raul otoned • r a • i it • i 

aries irom Antiocn and Iconmm, who per 
suaded the people" that Paul and Barnabas were de 
ceivers, and that the miracle which had been per- 
formed had been done by the power of the evil one 
These Jews swayed the people to such an extent that 
instead of worshipping Paul and Barnabas, they 
picked up stones and stoned Paul until he fell to the 
earth, apparently dead. Thinking he was so, the mob 
then dragged his body out of the city and left it. 

What a many-headed monster this mob was! First 
they were ready to worship the men as 
Hmded Monster 8^^^, and then in just a few minutes be- 
came so bitter that they would stain 
their souls with murder! Shakespeare called such a 
crowd 

"The blind monster, with uncounted heads, 
The still discordant, wavering multitude." 

The mob dispersed, and around the still bleeding, 
silent body on tlie ground, stood tlie few intelligent, 
faithful disciples who had believed the 
SnLlofsTreL true Gospel. How delighted and thank- 
ful they must have been when they saw 
Paul move, and later regain consciousness. 

He had been stunned, but not seriously injured; so 



First Missionary Journey 



165 



a little gentle nursing gave him strength to stand on 
his feet, and he walked back to the city. 

The next day he left Lystra and traveled twenty 
miles to Derbe. Here he preached boldly and ef- 
Gaius f^^^^^^^ly? converted many to the truth, among 
them a man by the name of Gains, who proved 
to be a staunch and true friend to Paul and to the 
Church generally. 

As they had done in other cities, so the mission- 
aries did in Derbe — organized a branch of the Church 
and ordained elders over it. These they 
oTgalZeT'''^ instructed, and met with them and with 
the Saints in fasting and prayer, "com- 
mended them to the Lord," and bade them good-bye, 
for the time had come when the first missionaries 
from Antioch should return home. 

They visited all the branches, preaching the Gos- 
pel, instructing, blessing, and comforting the Saints 
^ „ in Lystra and the regions round about. 

tieturn Home mi i i r •! t • 

ihey then returned lorty miles to Iconmm 
and sixty miles back to Antioch in Pisidia. From 
there, they went to Perga in Pamphylia, and sailed 
from Attalia to Antioch in Syria. 

Here the Saints gathered and bade them welcome, 
and heard the returned Elders report "all that God 
had done with them, and how he had opened the door 
of faith unto the Gentiles.'' 



LESSON 28 



A GREAT CONTROVERSY 
Texts: Acts 15:1-35 

"The union of Christians to Christ, their common head, and by means 
of the influence they derive from Him, one to another, may be 
illustrated by the loadstone. It not only attaches the par- 
ticles of iron to itself by the magnetic virtue, but by 
this virtue it unites them one to the other." 

As we followed Paul and Barnabas in their first 
missionary journey, we noticed that in nearly every 

city they visited, they found Jews, and 
oZrEmpir7^ that their preaching was frequently first 

done in a synagogue. The fact is, that the 
Jews were scattered over nearly all of the Roman 
Empire. They were on the coasts and islands of 
Western Asia, on the borders of the Caspian Sea, and 
some were even as far as China. 

But no matter where the Jew was living, he al- 
ways kept his own religion, and studied carefully the 
Law of Moses. That is what James meant 
fe«el^L, wben_ he said, "Moses of old time, 
hath in every city, them that preach him, 
being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day." 
Their religion taught them not to mingle with the 
gentiles in marriage or in social intercourse. 



A Great Controversy 167 



The Gentiles, on the other hand, looked with con- 
tempt upon the Jews; while the "gay and licentious 

festivities of the Greek and Roman 
fcSKrS worship" made the Jews look with 

contempt upon Gentiles. They would 
trade with each other, and mingle together in daily vo- 
cations, but as a rule, that is as far as their intercourse 
went. They said with Shy lock: "I will buy with you, 
sell withjT^u^, talk with you, walk with you, and so 
TolTowing; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, 
nOT pray with you.""^ 

Of course, there were Gentiles who sometimes be- 
came converted to the Jewish religion, and there were 
some who married Jewish women, but the line of dis- 
like and suspicion was none the less sharply drawn. 

You remember how difficult it was for the Lord to 
convince Peter that the Gentiles were worthy to be 
, „ . baptized into the Church of Christ. 

Feter s Frejuaices ^ ^ . . . , , 

reter saw m a vision a vast sheet de- 
scending from heaven in which there were unclean 
animals, and he heard a voice saying, "Arise, Peter, 
kill and eat." But Peter said, ''Not so. Lord: for I 
have never eaten anything that is common or un- 
clean."t 

When Peter realized the meaning of the vision, his 
whole Jewish nature was shocked; for to obey was to 
, „ , . break the Law of his forefathers by 

Peter s Revelation . . . i -i rm t • i 

associating with Lrentiles. Ihe Jewish 

* Merchant of Venice; Act 1, Scene 3. 
tReview entire experience. 



168 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Christians who were with Peter from Joppa to 
Caesarea were "astonished" when they saw "the gift 
of the Holy Ghost poured out" on the "unclean" 
Gentiles. When Peter reached Jerusalem, he was 
accused of having not only associated but eaten 
with Gentiles, but Peter had learned by revelation 
that "what God has made clean" no one should 
"call common or unclean," that the Lord is "no re- 
specter of persons," and that "every nation" that ac- 
cepts Him, and "feareth Him and worketh righteous- 
ness," may receive His Blessings. 

The Question Agitated 

But there were many Jews in the Church who did 
not believe this, and the only condition on which they 
^, ^, , , . , would accept a Gentile was that he 

1 he thurch Agitated , iii i t •! t* i 

should obey the J ewish religion also. 
When this class of Christians heard that Paul and 
Barnabas had baptized hundreds of Gentiles, they be- 
came very much agitated in their feelings, and some 
of them went to Antioch and began to preach, first 
privately then publicly, that unless the Gentiles 
obeyed a certain Jewish rite, they could not be saved. 
Paul and Barnabas had told the Saints that obedience 
to the Gospel of Christ would save the Gentiles as 
well as the Jews, and that the Gentiles did not have 
to become Jews. Now these men from the chief 
branch of the Church declared that Paul and Barna- 
bas were wrong. No wonder "those who from among 
the Gentiles were turned unto God," were "troubled" 



A Great Controversy 169 



and perplexed* Indeed, the controversy became so 
sharp that it threatened to lead some out of the 
Church. 

Messengers Sent to Jerusalem 

So it was "determined that Paul and Barnabas, 
and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem 
unto the apostles and elders about this 

Messengers to ^„p^i.,-™ " 
Jerusalem qUCStlOU, 

The Church in Antioch evidently be- 
lieved Paul and Barnabas to be in the right, for when 
they started on their journey they were escorted on 
their way by the Church. As they passed through 
Syro-Phoenecia and Samaria, and told the Saints who 
greeted them how the Gentiles had been converted, 
they ^'caused great joy unto all the brethren." 

This was Paul's third visit to Jerusalem since his 
conversion. The first was three years after he joined 
r. » ^7 . 7T7. . the Church, when he spent two weeks 

Faulsi tiird Visit .it* i i i i n r 

With reter, and then had to nee lor 
his life> The second was when he accompanied the 
messengers who brought relief to the Saints in Judea 
during the famine. That was the time Peter was sen- 
tenced to be killed. Fifteen years had passed since 
he left Jerusalem for Damascus with papers to arrest 
all Christians whom he found! Now he enters the 
city as the defender of one of the greatest truths that 
the Christian Church or the world can know; namely. 
That God is no respecter of persons, but will bless 
every nation as it obeys the principles of life and sal- 
vation. 



170 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



In Council With the Leaders 



He first met in council with Peter, James and John, 
and received for the first time, so far as we know, "the 
j,.^^ right hand of fellowship" from John the beloved 
disciple. Titus was with Paul as an example of 
those who were Gentile converts. 

This visit was really an appeal to the Presidency 
of the Twelve, and confirms the belief of the members 

of the Church today that Peter, James 
fheiSincy ^nd John were appointed leaders at that 

time just as three High Priests are now 
chosen as the First Presidency of Christ's Church. 

At length the great meeting was called at which was 
to be settled once and for all the standing of the Gen- 
tiles in the Christian Church. "It was a 
iieeting^^^^^^ sccnc of camcst debate, and perhaps, in 
its earlier portion, of angry disputing"; 
but finally Peter addressed the assembly, and told how 
God had revealed to him the fact that the Gentiles 
could accept the Gospel without obeying all the Jew- 
ish ceremonies. 

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke amidst great silence, 
while every eye was riveted upon these two great mis- 
sionaries who had first organized branches 
fcsUir''' Church among Gentile nations. 

Finally, James, the brother of the Lord, 
who was known among the Jews as "James the Just," 



A Great Controversy 171 



arose and gave the decision of the council, which 
^ . . established the union of the Jewish and 

The Decision , ^ .i i->n • • 

the Gentile Christians. 

Paul Returns to Antioch 

Thus the controversy ended, and Paul's mission to 
the Gentiles was authoritatively approved. When he 
r J J C I started back to Antioch he was accom- 

Juads and oilas •iiti i-n i i 

panied by Judas sumamed Barsabas and 
Silas, "chief men among the brethren." It seems that 
John Mark went with them also. They carried with 
them the decree of the council to be read to the 
churches that had been so disturbed by the contro- 
versy. 

When they reached Antioch, the whole body of the 
Church met together, to hear the decision of the coun- 
cil. We can imagine with what interest and consolation 
the saints listened to the decree that there should not 
be one Church for the Jew and another for the Gen- 
tile; but that everyone who sincerely believed in 
Christ, and obeyed the Gospel would be saved. 



LESSON 29 



PAUL BEGINS HIS SECOND MISSIONARY 
JOURNEY 

"Man should trust in God, as if God did all, and yet 
labor as earnestly as if he himself did all." 

After Silas and Judas Barsabas had remained in 
Antioch a short time "teaching and preaching the 
word of the Lord" with Paul and Bama- 
SEct? bas and "many others also," Judas re- 
turned presumably to Jerusalem, but it 
"pleased Silas to abide there still." Two years had 
passed since Paul and Barnabas had returned from 
their first mission, and Paul felt impressed to visit 
again the churches they had established on that mem- 
orable tour. So one day he said to Barnabas. "Let 
us go again and visit our brethren in every city where 
we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how 
they do." 

To this Barnabas readily consented, but said, "Let 
us take my cousin John Mark along with us." "No," 

Disagreement ^^^^^^^^ Paul, "it is not good to take 
Mark with us, because he turned back from 
us at Pamphylia, and went not with us to the work." 

But Barnabas knew why Mark had done that, and 
was sure he would not turn back this time. Paul, how- 



Paul Begins His Second Missionary Journey 173 



ever, would not consent; so these two great mission- 
aries agreed to separate, and each take his own com- 
Separation P^^^^^* Barnabas chose John Mark, and 
Paul chose Silas. They probably also agreed 
that Barnabas and Mark should go to the churches on 
the islands, and Paul and Silas to those on the main- 
land. 

We do not know that Paul and Barnabas ever met 
again, but Paul speaks of him afterwards as of an 
apostle actively engaged in his Master's service. Mark, 
too, in later years won Paul's confidence, for the lat- 
ter speaks of him as his "fellow-laborer," and one 
"profitable to the ministry." 

Barnabas and Mark left first, and sailed to Cyprus, 
Barnabas' native island. Here Mark, too, would feel 
at home, for it was where he began his 
MZ^^tTcyfrus ^^^^ ^s a missionary. Here we will 
leave them among the newly-made Chris- 
tians, and follow Paul and Silas. 

Probable Visit to Paul's Old Home 

These two missionaries started by land northward 
through "Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches." 
They had with them, of course, the decision of the 
Council which no doubt, gave a great deal of comfort 
to the Christian Gentiles in these branches. 

Just what particular cities Paul and Silas visited in 
Syria and Cilicia, we do not know; but there was one 
„ , which Paul certainly would not pass by. 

Paul and bilas rpi ^ IJ "L 4. ir 

inat was his old home town larsus. It 
he had succeeded in establishing a church there, with 
what joy and satisfaction he would return to it now. 



174 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Paul was always proud of Tarsus, and spoke of it later 
as "no mean city."* 

At Derbe and Other Towns 

On his first mission, Paul and Barnabas visited in 
order Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Now he and Silas 
Derbe First ^PP^^^^^ these towns from the opposite di- 
rection, and come to Derbe first, then to 
Lystra, then to Iconium. 

At Lystra he was welcomed by that beautiful char- 
^ , , acter Eunice who was a Jewess, the 

Ivelcome at Lystra , « rrt. , t • i i 

mother oi limothy. Lois, her mother, 
would also greet Paul, and extend the glad hand to 
his companion Silas. 

Call and Ordination of Timothy 

From the brethren at Iconium and Lystra, Paul 
learned that these good women and their noble young 
son Timothy had been true to the faith. He already 
knew that Timothy had been instructed from child- 
hood to repeat the scripture and to live a 
ImI P^i'e ^- Timothy had been one who had 
stood by him when the mob dragged him 
from the city and left him for dead, and now he finds 
still in the young man's heart the "unfeigned faith 
which first dwelt in his grandmother Lois, and his 
mother Eunice." No wonder Paul said to the women 
"I desire Timothy to go forth with me." 

The mother consented, and Timothy accepted the 

♦Acts 21:39. 



Paul Begins His Second Missionary Journey 175 



call, though scarcely twenty years of age. Accord- 
^. r ^ , . , ingly, a meeting was held, and Paul 

I imothy Ordained i . i m. i i i i • r 

ordamed Timothy by the laymg on ot 
hands" to be a missionary and servant of the Lord 
Jesus Christ. Paul afterwards called this young man 
his "own son in the Faith.""^ This instance tends to 
confirm the truth of the Article of Faith which de- 
clares the belief of the Latter-day Saints that "A man 
must be called of God by prophecy and by the lay- 
ing on of hands by those who are in authority to 
preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances 
thereof." 

After baptizing many more converts and establish- 
ing the churches in the faith, and undoubtedly visit- 
, ^ , . ing Antioch in Pisidia and other towns 

I awards Galatia , . i i i i i -n i 

on the mamland where he and Damabas 
had organized branches of the Church, Paul, Silas, 
and Timothy went in a northerly direction through 
"the region of Galatia." 

While passing through here Paul was taken sick. 
What kind of sickness, whether it was "the thorn in 
Paul III fl^sh" he mentions in one of his epistles, or 
some other bodily ailment, is not stated. Paul 
calls it an "infirmity of the flesh."f But he was 
very sick, and was detained in Galatia seemingly 
against his will. In spite of sickness, however, he 
preached the Gospel to the people and many believed. 
How he loved the friends he made at that time, 
and appreciated their tender care, can be partly 

*I Tim. 1:2. 
tGal. 4:13. 



176 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



understood from a letter he wrote to them in 
which he said in effect, '''When I was sick in your 
midst, ye despised me not, nor rejected; but received 
me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What 
was then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you 
record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have 
plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to 
me.""^ In that same letter he calls them his "little 
children,"! and expresses a desire to be with them 
again to strengthen them in the Gospel. 

Before the missionaries left Galatia, even though 
Paul suffered in sickness, several new branches of the 
Church had been organized, and Paul's let- 
Established these churches now forms part of the 

New Testament. 

Leaving Galatia, the three travelers continued west- 
Westward ^^^^ toward the i^lgean Sea, and "passing by 
Mysia came to Troas," the full name of 
v/hich was Alexandria Troas. 

Paul had his face turned toward Europe and from 
this place could look across the JEgeam and see the 
"distant prospect of the Macedonian hills.'' 

One evening he went to bed, perhaps wondering 
about the people who lived on the other side of the 
A Vision ^^^^^ inspired with the feeling that the 
Lord desired him to go to them. There ap- 
peared to him, that night, a vision, in which "There 
stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, 

"Come over into Macedonia, and help us.'' 



*GaL 4:13-15. 
tGal. 2:19. 



Paul Begins His Second Missionary Journey 111 



But before he took boat across, he and his com- 
panions had been joined by another faithful convert 
Luke ^^^^ must now be introduced. It may be 
that Paul met him when Paul was sick, for the 
man was a physician, and could be of great service 
to him in his affliction. This new companion kept 
notes and afterwards wrote the "Acts of the Apostles" 
in which we learn most of the things we are telling you 
about. His name was Luke, called by Paul the "be- 
loved Physician." 

Paul told his vision to his brethren, and "imme- 
, . diately" Luke says, "we endeavored to 

Over to Macedonia . ityr i • n i 

go mto Macedonia, assuredly gather- 
ing that the Lord had called us for to preach the 
Gospel unto them." 

They sailed from Troas "with a straight course" 
across to Samothracia and "the next day to Neapolis; 
and from thence to Philippi, the chief city of that part 
of Macedonia." 



LESSON 30 



AT PHILIPPI 

"The Gospel is the fulfillment of all hopes, the perfection of all phil- 
osophy, the interpreter of all revelations, and a key to all seeming 
contradictions of truth in the physical and moral world." 

Near the city of Philippi flowed the river Gaggitas. 
On its banks just "out of the city" was built a plain 
R p- c-^ enclosure probably open at the top, in 

ay tii€ ixivcr oictc i * i r i i*i 

which a lew people met to worship the 

Lord. 

There was no synagogue in Philippi; and the few 
Jews who were there went to this place "by the river 
side" to off'er their prayers, and to read the law. Most 
of those who did so were women. 

When the first Sabbath day came after the elders 
had been in Philippi several days, they went to this 
place of worship, "sat down, and spake unto the 
women who resorted thither." 

No doubt evil minded men accused the missionaries 
in those days of trying to lead the women astray, just 
, , as enemies accuse the elders of the 

Gospel r reached , , t-» t i r i 

Lhurch today, out lies and lalse ac- 
cusations could not keep Paul and his associates from 
doing their duty. To these women, they preached the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ, and told them the story of His 
life, His cruel death and His glorious resurrection. 



At Philippi 



179 



Lydia 

In the group that listened to the wonderful message 
was "a certain woman named Lydia," who lived in 

Thyatira, but who was then in Philippi 
fo!^ccep^ GofpeZ attending to her business connected with 

the dyeing trade. She sold purple dyes 
used by the rich and the nobility. The Lord gave her 
a testimony of the truth as Paul explained it, and she 
applied for baptism. She and "her household" were 
admitted into membership that day. If Lydia was 
the first one baptized, then she has the distinction of 
being the first person in Europe to accept Christianity. 
Whether "her household" means she had children, or 
whether it refers to her servants or to both we do not 
know, but they became the nucleus of a thriving 
branch of the Church in that city, and in Lydia's home 
town as well. 

After baptism, Lydia invited the missionaries to her 
home, saying, "If ye have judged me to be faithful to 
the Lord, come into my house, and abide there." 

The Damsel With the Spirit of Divination 

One day when the elders were going out to the place 
of prayer, they met an unfortunate woman who caused 
., o . . T> » 7 T them no little annoyance. She was a 

tvil bpirit nebuked i i i i i i 

damsel who seemed to be possessed 
by some spirit of divination" which her masters (for 
she had more than one) used for making money. When 
she would meet the elders, she would cry out: 

"These men are the servants of the most high God, 
which show unto us the way of salvation." 



180 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



After she had done this on several different days, 
Paul became "grieved/' not particularly because of 
what she said, but because he knew the evil spirit was 
tormenting her. So he turned to her one day, and 
said to the evil spirits: 

"I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to 
come out of her," and immediately she was healed. 

When her masters realized that their female slave 
had been cured, and that the hope of their gains was 
^^^^^ gone, they became very angry. "They caught 
Paul and Silas, and drew them into the court 
unto the rulers." But they were shrewd enough not to 
tell the magistrates the real reason why Paul and 
Silas had been brought there. They didn't say "these 
men cured our slave, and we cannot any longer fool 
the people for money." No, they accused them of 
breaking the Roman law by introducing "customs" 
and beliefs which it was unlawful for Romans to 
observe. 

When the mob cried out "That is so," the magis- 
trates gave the elders no opportunity to defend them- 
selves, but condemned them to be taken out and 
beaten. 

Scourged and Imprisoned 

With their hands tied, and their backs bared to the 
whip, the elders were beaten "with many stripes." 
^, „ . „ Bleeding and faint they were then 

The Inner rrison , ^ , . a .i • •! 

taken to the prison. As the jailor re- 
ceived them, he was ordered to "keep them safely." 
Hearing this order and thinking the prisoners must 



At Philippi 



181 



be wicked men indeed, the jailor took them and "thrust 
them into the inner prison." The inner prison of a 
Roman jail was a dark, damp, gloomy dungeon. One 
writer calls it a "pestilential cell, damp and cold, from 
which the light was excluded, and where the chains 
rusted on the limbs of the prisoners.'' But not content 
with shutting the elders up in such a gloomy hole, 
"the jailor made their feet fast in the stocks.'' In 
fastening only their feet, however, he showed a little 
mercy for there were holes in the stock for the wrists 
and for the necks also. 

With their backs sore and bleeding, their bodies 
chilled by the cold and dampness, their legs cramped 

and aching, hungry and sleepless and sur- 
fnGloom^ rounded by the blackness of midnight, Paul 

and Silas who knew they were suffering for 
the sake of the true Gospel, could rejoice and praise 
the Lord. This they did at midnight by praying and 
singing "praises unto God." Their voices rang out 
through the prison cells; and prisoners, hard hearted 
and sinful, listened in surprise to the first Christian 
hymn they had ever heard. The power of the Lord 
manifested itself not only in the hearts of His true 
servants, but in the entire prison and the town as well ; 
for "suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that 
the foundations of the prison were shaken." All the 
bolts and bars at the doors fell from their sockets and 
the doors of the prison flew open, and "every one's 
bands were loosed," but not a prisoner tried to escape. 
Aroused from his sleep by the commotion and 



182 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



earthquake, the jailor hurried to the prison only to 
T ., , r find the doors wide open. Remember- 

T he Jailor s Fear . , . . . . f^, . 

mg his injunction to keep the prison- 
ers safely," and knowing that he would forfeit his 
life if any had escaped, he drew his sword to take his 
own life, when Paul cried out: 

"Do thyself no harm; for we are all here! 

"Then he (the jailor) called for a light and sprang 
in and came trembling and fell down before Paul and 
Silas." 

His Conversion 

Perhaps he had heard what the damsel had said, 
that "These men are the servants of the most high 

God;" it may be that he had heard them 
ellelt^T^"''''''' preach, or at least had been told by 

others what they preached. Probably 
the earthquake itself had convinced him that these 
men not only were innocent, but were servants of God. 
At any rate, he cried out: "Sirs, what must I do to be 
saved?" 

That is the question everybody should ask, and the 
answer, when truthfully given, everybody should 
obey. 

Note the answer: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Then the 
. servants of the Lord explained what a true 

1 he Answer i t /» . i i i ci. i r i 

beliei is, expounded the word oi the 
Lord," taught them faith and repentance and baptism; 
and when the keeper of the prison and his family said 
they believed the Gospel to be true, he led the elders 



At Philippi 



183 



out, washed their stripes, and was baptized that same 
night, "he and all his straightway." 

Then he took them, not back to the dreary dungeon, 
but into his own house, and set meat before them. We 
are told that his heart was filled with rejoicing be- 
cause he "believed in God with all his house." 

By doing right he had opened the windows of his 
soul, and the sunshine of pure happiness had radiated 
through his entire being. He was experiencing the 
truth as expressed in the song: 

"Doing good is a pleasure, 

A joy beyond measure, 

A blessing of duty and love." 

The earthquake or something else had put fear in 
the hearts of odier men in that city, too, and among 
these were the magistrates who had sen- 
Reieased tcnccd, uncondcmned, two innocent men to 
be beaten and imprisoned. Realizing their 
mistake they sent word early in the morning to the 
jailor to "Let those men go." 

Pleased with the message, the keeper of the prison 
hurried to Paul and Silas crying: "The magistrates 
have sent to let you go; now therefore de- 
" part and go in peace." 

He was surprised to hear Paul coolly 
answer, "No, they have beaten us openly, uncon- 
demned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison." 
Now they want us to go out privily so that people will 
think we are pestilent fellows who escaped from jail. 
"Nay, verily, but let them come themselves and fetch 
us out." 



184 Ancient A po sties — Paul 



When the magistrates heard what Paul had said, 
and learned that Roman citizens had been scourged 
and thrust into prison without even a trial, 
Humb\Td^^ they were very much afraid, for they real- 
ized that they might lose their offices. So 
they came, and led Paul and Silas out of the prison, 
and expressed a desire that the missionaries leave the 
city. 

But the released prisoners had won a great victory ; 
and while they did not flaunt it in the face of their 
persecutors, they took occasion to go to the house of 
Lydia, and meet all the Saints. Perhaps Paul re- 
minded that Saints of the night in Jerusalem when 
Peter was released from prison and came to the house 
of Mary. 

Whatever was said, we know that 'Vhen he had 
seen the brethren they comforted them and departed." 

Luke remained to strengthen and build up the 
Church in Philippi, and Paul and his other com- 
panions went to Thessalonica. 



LESSON 31 



AT THESSALONICA AND BEREA 



"A constant struggle, a ceaseless battle to bring success from inhospit- 
able surroundings, is the price of all great achievements." 

"To banish, imprison, plunder, starve, hang, and burn men for religion 
is not the Gospel of Christ, but the policy of the devil. Christ 
never used anything that looked like force but once, and 
that was to drive bad men out of the temple, 
not to drive them in." 

It is easy enough to do right when in good com- 
pany, but it is not easy to defend the right when the 
majority of the crowd are opposing it; and yet, that 
is the time to show true courage. The Prophet Joseph, 
for example, was reviled and persecuted for saying 
that he had received a vision, but he always remained 
true to his testimony. Though he "^Vas hated and 
persecuted yet he said it was true that God had spoken 
to him, and 

^^All the world could not make him think or believe 
otherwise/^ 

Such is the courage and firmness everyone should 
have. When one knows what is right one should al- 
ways have the courage to defend it even in the face of 
ridicule or punishment. 

"It's easy enough to be virtuous 
When nothing tempts you to stray; 
When without or within 
No voice of sin 



186 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Is luring your soul away; 
But it's only a negative virtue 
Until it is tried by fire: 
And the soul that is worth 
The praises of earth 
Is the soul that resists desire." 

In the matter of courage to preach the Gospel in 
the face of bitter persecution, the missionaries at 
Thessalonica and Berea proved themselves true 
heroes. 

After the cruel treatment Paul had received in 
Philippi, he was not in a condition to endure long 
travel, and hardship; yet he and his companions 
traveled over one hundred miles before they reached 
Thessalonica. 

This city, the capital of Macedonia, towards which 
Paul had been directing his course ever since he left 
Troas, was an important trading center. "Indeed, in 
all Greece," "if we except Corinth, there is no har- 
bor with a finer situation; the anchorage is of the 
best; the roadstead is as smooth as a lake, while the 
neighboring valleys give access to highways leading 
into Epirus and upper Macedonia."'*' 

At one time the city was called Therma; but in the 
days of Alexander the Great, it was named Thessa- 
„ ^ lonica for Alexander's sister, Thessalonica, 

How Named , • r r tat i 9 1 

the wiie 01 one 01 Alexander s generals. 
This name, slightly shortened clings to the city to- 
day. It is now called Saloniki and is one of the cen- 
ters of the great war that is, at the present time.f 

*Fouard. 11915. 



At Thessalonica and Berea 



187 



wasting all Europe. In importance it is the second 
city in European Turkey. 

Tired and worn and penniless, Paul entered this 
great city. Tired and worn in body, but fresh and 
vigorous as ever in spirit, he took imme- 
SSSS; diate steps to give to the people the 
glorious message of the Gospel of 
the Redeemer. 

The first meeting was probably held in ''the syna- 
gogue," for Thessalonica was then, and has been 
, , ^ since, a strons; Jewish center. For three 

In the Synagogue . i -n i j c-i 46 

successive weeks, raui and bilas rea- 
soned with them out of the scriptures ; opening and al- 
leging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen 
again from the dead; and that this same Jesus, whom, 
he said, 'I preach unto you,' is Christ." 

Nor was it only in the synagogue that these earnest 
missionaries proclaimed their message, but in the 
street and in the workshop. 

Paul and Silas lodged with a man named Jason, 
where Paul worked at the trade he had learned in Tar- 
sus. Paul says himself that he ''labored 

With Jason . , i i i i • i i i i 

night and day, that he might not be burden- 
some to any of the them.""^ Thus "late at night, when 
the sun had long set on the incessant spiritual labors 
of the day, the apostle might be seen by lamplight la- 
boring at the rough haircloth, 'that he might be charge- 
able to none.' " 

We can well imagine that he was frequently inter- 

*I Thess. 11:9. 



188 A ncient A po sties — Paul 



rupted in this work by men and women who would 
, , , , n . seek for more lisht on the doctrines of 

Aided by the bamts , ^ i rm i i -n i 

the Gospel. Ihe result was that raui 
made scarcely enough money to pay for his food and 
clothing; and if the good saints in Philippi had not 
sent him relief, he and Silas would perhaps have been 
in actual want. 

Not many Jews believed, so Paul and his com- 
panion turned to the Gentiles, many of whom believed, 
"of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the 
chief women not a few." 

The Storm Gathers 

But when the unbelieving Jews saw great numbers 
accepting this new Gospel, they became very jealous 
A Mob angry. They went among a low, ignorant 
class of the citizens, ''certain lewd fellows of 
the baser sort," and told them that these Christians are 
setting the whole world in an uproar, and ought to be 
driven out of the town. So they gathered a mob, and 
surrounded the house of Jason where the elders 
lodged. 

But, fortunately, Paul and Silas were not in, and 
could not be found. Perhaps some friend, or it may 

be the Spirit of the Lord, had warned the 
%^arnlT^^^^ Lord's scrvauts not to go home just at that 

time. 

Not finding the Eders, the mob dragged Jason and 



At Thessalonica and Berea - 189 



some other brethren before the rulers of the city 

Jason Seized Said: 

''Those Christians that have turned the 
world upside do^vn have come hither also; 

"Whom Jason hath received; and these all do con- 
trary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is an- 
other king, one Jesus-" 

How easy it is sometimes to prevert the truth into 
a lie! 

Jason and his friends had to give ''securit)^;" (by 
which is probably meant that they had 

Compi.5£5cape to deposit money as assurance that 
they would do nothing against the 

government), after which they were permitted to go 

free. 

But the mob was still bitter against Paul and Silas 
who were advised by the brethren to leave immedi- 
ately. This they did by night, traveling j&fty-one 
miles to Berea. 

At Berea 

Persecution and suffering could no more stop these 
inspired workers from preaching the Gospel than it 

could stop them from breathing; so as soon 
Gospef'^''^^^ as they arrived at Berea, ''they went into 

the synagogue of the Jews." The Jews 
here were more noble than those in Thessalonica, and 
would reason from the scripture, which was the Old 
Testament, kept in sacred rolls in the synagogue. So 
we conclude that the Bereans, not only listened atten- 
tively to what the missionaries told them but searched 



190 Ancient Apostles — Paul 



the scriptures to see if what they said was in har- 
mony with the Law. When they found that it was, 
many believed, "also of honorable women who were 
Greeks, and of men not a few." 

The Storm Follows Them 

As the Jews had gone once before from Iconium to 
Lystra, so they came now from Thessalonica to Berea, 
"like hunters upon their prey/' and "stirred up the 
people." 

But the seeds of truth had taken root in the rich 
soil, and while the storm of persecution threatened to 
deluge Paul, it served only to strengthen 
Timothy Remain ^nd vitalize the Gospel field. 

Leaving Silas and Timothy to con- 
tinue the work, to bless and encourage the saints, Paul 
„ , „ became once more a fugitive and was con- 

Faul Escapes , , , r i i i i 

ducted by some oi the brethren to the sea. 
From some point on the coast he embarked for Athens. 



LESSON 32 
AT ATHENS AND CORINTH 

'^Sometimes a noble failure serves the world as faithfully as a 
distinguished success." 

"Life has no blessing like a prudent friend." 

Perhaps few if any of the young folks who read 
these lessons have ever been alone, even for a short 
time, in a strange city; but it may be that 

Lj07ieLlTL€SS p ri 111 TP 

some oi your lathers or brothers have. 11 
so, you may learn by asking just how lonesome one 
can feel when one is in a large crowd, in a strange 
city, and out of sympathy with the people around him^ 
To be 

"Amid the crowd, the hum, the shock of men. 
To hear, to see, to feel and to possess, 
And roam along the world's tired denizen, 
With none to bless us, none whom we can bless; 
This is to be alone; this, this is solitude." 

Such must have been Paul's condition after he said 
good-bye to his brethren, and walked through the 
streets of Athens alone. 

This loneliness impressed him so deeply that he 
afterwards wrote to the Thessalonians that he "was 
left in Athens alone."* He had sent a command back 
to Berea for "Silas and Timothy to come to him with 
all speed;" but until they came, he was the only Chris- 
tian in the great pagan city. 



*I Thess. 3:1. 



192 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



As Paul walked through the streets of Athens, he 
saw many statues and memorials built in honor of 
, ^ . . men and mystical gods. Some of these 

btatues and Deities , *^ r i r 

were the statues oi the great men oi 
Athens, "such as Solon the lawgiver, Conon the ad- 
miral, Demosthenes the orator." Among her deified 
heroes were Hercules, Mercury, Apollo, Neptune, Jup- 
iter, Minerva, and many others, and in one place, in 
the center of all these was an altar to the "Twelve 
Gods-" "There were more statues in Athens than in 
all the rest of Greece. It has been said as almost a 
truth that it was easier to find a god in Athens than 
a man.""^ There were altars erected also to Fame, to 
Modesty, to Energy, to Persuasion, and to Pity, and 
Paul saw one inscription, 
"To the Unknown God." 

In the city was a common meeting place called the 
Agora. Here the Athenians gathered to talk about 
^, , and discuss the questions of the day. 

I he Market r lace j , r i i -i i • 

idlers and proiessed philosophers mm- 
gled together eager to hear anything new. While 
Paul was waiting for his companions, he visited this 
gathering place daily, and conversed with those whom 
he met. From him the crowd heard, for the first time, 
about Jesus and the Resurrection. 

He also attended the service in the synagogue, and 
disputed with the Jews. 

So Paul, though lonely and discouraged, and per- 
haps gloomy because of the ignorance and wickedness 

♦Weed. 



At Athens and Corinth 193 



he saw around him, "began to stir the city" because 
of the message he announced. The Athenians and 
strangers, too, began to get curious; 
tor some ol them, Luke tells us, spent 
their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear 
some new thing." 

Then certain philosophers began to hear about him, 
and took notice of him. Some said, 

"What will this base fellow say?" 

And others, 

"He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods; 
because he preacheth unto them Jesus and the resur- 
rection." 

On the top of the hill of Areopagus was a platform 
which was reached by a flight of stone steps leading 
Mars' Hill ^^^^i^tcly from the Agora. On this had 
sat the leading judges who had, for time im- 
memorial, decided important questions of religion, 
or passed sentence on the greatest criminals. Because 
Mars was supposed to have had his trial there, it was 
called "Mars' Hill:" On the brow of this hill was 
built the temple of Mars. 

To this important and memorable spot, the philoso- 
phers led the Apostle, saying, 

"May we know what this new doctrine whereof thou 
speakest is? For thou bringest certain strange things 
to our ears; we would know, therefore, what these 
things mean." 

Paul accepted the invitation, and delivered one of 
the most memorable addresses in the world. You will 



194 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



notice, however, that he does not even mention the 
name of Christ, but tries to influence his 
AddrTsr^^' hearers by leading them from what they 
were interested in to that in which he want- 
ed them to be interested-"^ 

As soon as Paul mentioned the resurrection of the 
dead, he was interrupted. Some broke out into laugh- 
, ter and made lidit of his remark. Others 

Interrupted ^ i • i i • i 

were more courteous, and said, as they with- 
drew from him, ''We will hear thee again on this 
matter." 

Paul must have felt almost crushed with the thought 
that his sermon had been an utter failure; but he had 
done his duty and the seeds of truth had 
^{onyluis '^^^^ sown. They bore fruit in the conversion 
of Dionysius, a member of the court of the 
Areopagus, and of a woman whose name was Da- 
maris, and ''others with them." 

After remaining a short time, "he left Athens as 
he had lived in it, a despised and lonely man." Yet 
that short visit, and that interrupted speech, charac- 
terized, as both were, by a sincere desire to call the 
erring and wicked to repentance, have made Paul 
more famous than any of the philosophers, so wise 
in their own conceit, who mocked and spumed him. 

At the Close of the Second Mission 

It is probable that Timothy joined Paul in Athens; 
but if so, he returned immediately to the churches in 

*Read and explain sermon Acts 17:22-31. 



At Athens and Corinth 



195 



Macedonia. Thus it was that Paul sailed from 
Athens alone, and having landed at the seaport 
CoHnth Cenchrea, walked eighteen miles to Corinth. 

Here he found many Greeks and Jews. There 
were crowds also of strangers who came to see 
the great games and races for which Corinth was 
noted. Corinth, at that time, was a great commer- 
cial center, and merchantmen and other traders from 
far and near made up its population. If Athens was 
a learned city, Corinth was a wealthy and wicked one. 
So Paul's loneliness here must have been just as keen 
as it was in Athens. Indeed, he says himself that he 
went there "in weakness and in fear and in much 
trembling.""^ 

Just about that time a Roman emperor named 
Claudius issued a decree that all Jews should be ban- 
ished from Rome. Among those who had to 
PrUcillT^ leave were a man named Aquila and his 
, wife Priscilla. Whether they were Chris- 
tions before they came to Corinth is not known. At 
any rate, they were among the first friends Paul met 
in that city. It may be that they became acquainted 
because Aquila and Paul had the same trade. At 
any rate, Paul lived with them, and (if they were not 
Christians before) converted them to the Gospel, to 
which they remained staunch and true. These friends 
were a help to Paul in furnishing him employment, 
but in a greater way by proving to be true friends 
indeed. 

*I Cor. 2:3. 



196 Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Every Sabbath day, these three friends and fellow- 
laborers would lay aside tlieir unfinished tents, and 
go to the synagogue to worship the Lord. 

In the oynagogue -i i -i i i . i • 

raul, as usual, would speak to his coun- 
trymen and to the converted Greeks, and proclaim to 
them the glorious message of the risen Redeemer. He 
would reason with them from the scripture, and per- 
suade them to become Christians. 

For some time, he seems to have been less energetic 
than usual. He was more discouraged than enthusi- 
astic. But, just at that period, he was 
Sil^foinpiul joined by his two dear friends, Timothy 
and Silas. Their coming gave him new 
heart, or as Luke says, ''he was pressed in the spirit, 
and testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ." 
Judging from the strength Paul received from the 
companionship of these friends, he realized that, 

"A true friend is the gift of God, and He only who 
made hearts can unite them." 

But the more boldly and earnestly Paul preached, 
the more bitterly those unconverted Jews opposed 
him. Finally, when they blasphemed the 
TZ'th^^^""^ name of God, and refused to accept the 
truth, Paul "shook his raiment," and said, 
"Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; 
from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles." 

But many were converted, and among these was 
— Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue — "he and 
, all his house." His conversion, with 

Cnspus Converted , i r • i • i 

the crowds ot Lormthians who were 



At Athens and Corinth 



197 



baptized also, only made the Jews more bitter than 
ever; and they began to threaten Paul. 

About this time Paul wrote his second letter to the 
Thessalonians. In it he asks, especially, for their pray- 
Comfort might be delivered from the wicked 

men around him. 'Tray for us, brethren," he 
pleads, ''that the word of the Lord may be preached 
freely; and that we may be delivered from unreason- 
able and wicked men: for all have not faith.""^ 

And Paul prayed, too, and he received a direct 
answer from the Lord, who said: "Be not afraid, but 
speak, and hold not thy peace: 

"For I am with tliee, and no man shall set on thee 
to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." 

When Paul left the synagogue, he held meetings in 
a house that "joined hard to the synagogue;" that is, 
it was perhaps next to it. Here Paul and 

In the House r« . • j.* j i • 

of Justus companions contmued preacnmg. 

This so exasperated the Jews that they con- 
cluded to try to get Paul either expelled or punished. 

Now it so happened that just at that time a new 
governor was appointed over Achaia. His name was 
„ , ^ „. Gallio, and he was knowTi as a very "kind 

Before Gallio j ' i 99 rpi . i . ij i 

and gentle man. Inmkmg he would be 
easily influenced, the Jews had Paul arrested, and 
dragged him before the "judgment seat," saying false- 
ly, "This fellow persuadeth men to worship God con- 
trary to the law." 

Paul arose, or beckoned some way that he desired 

-11. Thes. 3:1-2. 



198 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



to answer tlie charge; but Gallic stopped him, and ad- 
dressing die Jews, said: 

"If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, 
ye Jews, reason would tliat I should bear with you; 
but if it be a question of words and names, and of 
your law% look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such 
matters." 

And he drove them from his presence. 
So Paul was not harmed, just as tlie Lord promised. 
But tlie Jews were; for the Greeks took their leader 
and whipped him even before the ''judg- 
ment seat." _ 

Paul remained in Corintli one year and 
a half, and established tliere a strong Church. 

Tlien, as the time for the Passover at Jemsalem was 
drawing near, he bade good-bye to the saints; and tak- 
ing Aquila and Priscilla, Silas and Timothy, his faith- 
ful friends and companions, he set sail for Ephesus, 
thence to Caesarea, and Jerusalem. 



LESSON 33 



PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY FROM 
ANTIOCH TO EPHESUS 

"No man taketh this honor unto himself but he that is 
called of God as was Aaron." 

When Paul stopped off at Ephesus on his way to 
Jerusalem, as mentioned in the previous lesson, the 
. Jews to whom he preached asked him "to 
tarry a longer time with them." Not being 
able to do so, he promised them to "return again if 
God will." This promise, as we shall see, Paul liter- 
ally fulfilled. 

Whether he arrived in Jerusalem in time to attend 
the Passover we do not know. In fact we are led to 
^ , , ^, , infer that he did not, for all that we 

balutes the Church , ri» i 

know 01 this visit is that he saluted 
the Church," and went down to Antioch. 

After spending some time with the important 
Church in Antioch, Paul started on his third mission- 
ary journey. Just what course he followed, it is diffi- 
cult to determine; but since Luke tells us that he went 
"over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in 
order," we may safely conclude that he 
TWTjourney visitcd his old homc in Tarsus, as well as 
the cities of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and 
possibly Antioch in Pisidia. The good people in 



200 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Galatia also would again have the pleasure of meet- 
ing the apostle who first preached to tliem tlie Gospel, 
and to whom they had so kindly administered in af- 
fliction. 

Neither do we know of a certainty who were his 
companions. Timotheus, undoubtedly, was one who 
accompanied him on the whole of his journey 

Apollos 

While Paul and Timothy are visiting the churches 
in Galatia and Phrygia, let us hasten ahead of them 
to Ephesus; for there is a man there whose 
Preachlr^^^ acquaintance we should make. His name 
is Apollos and he came from Alexandria. 
He was, undoubtedly, one of tlie most eloquent preach- 
ers of the Gospel in tliat day. 

But when he first came to Ephesus, he ''knew only 
the baptism of John." He had accepted the message 
of John the Baptist, but he had not heard the Gospel 
as it had been taught by Jesus and His disciples. He 
seemed to have been ignorant of the mission of the 
Holy Ghost. 

With him were twelve other men who held the same 
incomplete belief. 

Believing they had the truth, these men went to 
the same synagogue in which Paul had preached when 
^. , the Jews asked him to tarry longer, and 

Neic Light 1 1 1 T 1 

Apollos spoke to the people. In the congre- 
gation sat Aquila and Priscilla. These good Chris- 
tians perceived at once that Apollos did not under- 
stand the Gospel ; so, they invited him home with them 



PauVs Third Missionary Journey 201 



and "expounded unto him the way of God more per- 
fectly." 

Shortly after this, Apollos left Ephesus for Cor- 
inth, taking with him a letter of recommendation 
from the saints in Ephesus. 

The Holy Ghost Given 

Thus it was that when Paul arrived in Ephesus he 
met the twelve men who had been taught the Gospel 
as Apollos had known it. When they told Paul that 
they believed the Gospel, he asked them, "Have ye 
received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?'' 

"We have not so much as heard whether there be 
any Holy Ghost," they answered. 

"Unto what then were ye baptized?" asked Paul. 

"Unto John's baptism," they replied. 

"John verily baptized with the baptism of repent- 
ance," said Paul, "saying unto the people, that they 
should believe on him which should come after him 
that is, on Christ Jesus." 

They were then baptized by the proper authority, 
in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul then "laid his 
hands upon them" and "the Holy Ghost came on them; 
and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied." 

For three months Paul continued to preach in the 
synagogue, "disputing and persuading the things con- 
cerning the Kingdom of God." During 
ITsyZZt''' this time, he worked at his trade sup- 
porting himself "with his hands." Daily 
the Church grew in strength, and daily its enemies be- 
came so bitter in their opposition that Paul left the 



202 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



synagogue, and held his meetings in a schoolhouse 
where taught a man named Tyrannus. 

In this place, Paul labored for two years, a period 
in his life marked by wonderful manifestations from 
the Lord. Sick people were healed by the 
at^Ephesus P^^^^^ faith in most miraculous ways. 

Sometimes when Paul could not visit in per- 
son those afflicted, they would be healed by simply 
touching a handkerchief or an apron he had worn. 
Thus "the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." 

Men Who Acted Without Authority 

Among those who witnessed these miracles were 
some vagabond Jews who made a living by deceiving 
SonsofSceva P^^^plc by pretending to be magicians. 

When they saw Paul heal the sick in the 
name of Jesus, they thought they could do the same, 
and thus make a great deal of money. So one day 
these seven men who were sons of Sceva, meeting a 
man who was afflicted with an evil spirit, said, "We 
adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth," to come 
out of him. 

"Jesus I know," said the evil spirit, "and Paul I 
know, but who are ye?" "And the man leaped on 
them, and overcame them, so that they fled out of 
the house naked and wounded." 

The treatment that these seven men received through 
their hypocrisy, soon spread over the city. Many who 
A Big Bonfire practiced such arts as the sons of 
Sceva had, brought all their books of magic 



Paul's Third Missionary Journey 203 



and made a bonfire of them. Paul saw burned that 
day about $10,000 worth of books and papers. 

Every year in Ephesus, in the month of May, there 
was held a great festival in honor of the Goddess 
, ^ . , Diana. Rich men came from all parts 

Annual r estival r * . i 6^ • i r 

01 Asia, and paid vast sums oi money 
for the entertainment of the people. The entertain- 
ments were of different kinds. In the theatre were 
concerts and shows; in the hippodrome horse-racing; 
in the stadium gymnastic games of running, leaping 
and wrestling. There were noisy scenes through the 
day and night. In every hour of the day there were 
gay processions to the temple, following the bleating 
animals crowned with garland, being led to sacrifice. 
Idlers and drunkards could be seen almost every- 
where at any time. >i« The shops and 
bazaars were filled witli all the attractive things of 
those days which parents and friends would buy 
themselves and those left in distant homes. The spe- 
cial mementos would be little models of Diana and 
her shrine. The poorest of purchasers would buy those 
made of wood; others those of silver; and the wealthy 
those of gold.""^ 

Paul, no doubt, had told the Ephesians as he had 
the Athenians, that God is not made of wood or of 
silver, or of gold, ''neither graven by art 

A Loss of I raae ^ , , . ,, i i i 

01 man s devise. Ihere were hundreds 
and thousands of people who believed Paul and wor- 
shipped the true God. Consequently, at this annual 

*Weed. 



204 



Ancient A postles — Paul 



feast, there were not so many images of Diana bought 
as there had been at other festivals. 

A Mob Gathers 

Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines 
for Diana, became very much agitated when he saw 
^ his trade interfered witli. He called to- 

Uemetrius , n i • ^ i • i 

getner all his workmen and said : 
"Sirs, ye know by this craft we have our wealtli. 
Moreover, ye see and hear tliat not alone at Ephesus 
but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath per- 
suaded and turned away much people, saying that 
they be no Gods, which are made with hands," 

He continued to speak to them until they became 
thoroughly aroused and cried out, "Great is Diana of 
the Ephesians/' 

Soon the whole city became in confusion. A mob 
gathered, and tried to find Paul. Failing in this, they 
caught Gains and Aristarchus, tvvo of 
P^J^^^fompanions p^^^^ companions, and rushed them 

into the theatre. 
Paul was kept in safety- by his friends who refused 
to let him enter the theatre, although he insisted on 
doing so. 

A Jew named Alexander tried to speak to the mob, 
but they would not listen, and continued to howl for 
two hours, "Great is Diana of tlie Ephesians, 
jj^owling Q^^^^ p.^^^ ^£ ^j^^ Ephesians." 

When they had worn themselves out, the 
town clerk arose and told them they had better go 
home and be quiet, or the Romans might "call them 



Paul's Third Missionary Journey 205 

in question for this day's uproar." He said, too, that 
if Demetrius had any case against Paul, he could have 
Paul arrested and taken into court. 

As half the people, as is the case of all mobs, did 
not know why they had come, they began to move out 
of the theatre. "The stone seats were gradually 
emptied, the uproar ceased and the rioters dispersed 
to their various occupations and amusements." 

As Paul had already made preparations to go into 
Macedonia, he called the disciples to him, and after 
embracing them, left Ephesus so far as we know, 
forever. Later, however, as we shall learn in the 
next lesson, he met some of the Elders and Saints 
from Ephesus. 



LESSON 34 



THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY— ^Co^^i/iz/e^/; 

Paul's Farewell Visit to Churches He Had 
Established 



During the next nine or ten months — from the sum- 
mer, A. D., 57, to the spring, A. D., 58 — following 
Paul's affectionate farewell to the disciples at 
Ephesus, we know very little of his travels. From 
the epistles that he wrote during this period, we learn 
most of what is known about his labors and duties 
''over those parts" in Macedonia. 

He first went to Troas, where he expected to meet 
Titus whom he had sent to Corinth. Here, he says, 
''My spirit had no rest, because I found not TituSy 
my brother."* 

Worrying over the reports he had heard about the 
evil conditions in the Corinthian Church, he left Troas 
for Philippi. 

Here he met some of his most beloved saints; for 
the Philippian converts, though among the poorest, 

financially, were among the most faithful of 
"wikome churches. Paul had accepted their 

assistance when he had refused help from 
other sources. This is one Church which Paul did 



*II Cor. 2:13. 



Paul's Farewell Visit to the Churches 



207 



not reprove. What a joyous welcome these faithful 
saints must have given the Apostle! How their hearts 
would rejoice as they retold their experiences when 
Paul and Timothy and Silas first preached to the 
women by the river side. Lyddia and the jailor and 
a host of other faithful members would all be there 
to recall the arrest, the whipping, the imprisonment, 
the stocks, the midnight hymns, the earthquake, the 
authorities' fears and all the other wonderful experi- 
ences of that first visit to Philippi! 

Yet amidst all this welcome Paul says his '''flesh had 
no rest; without were fightings, within were fears; 
„ , ^ , until God who comforts them that are 

ram Depressed , r i i i 

cast down, comforted me by the com- 
ing of Titus.""^ 

Titus told him that the members of the Church in 
Corinth who had been doing wrong had been excom- 
municated, and that many of the saints 
fo'colS; were doing better. Hearing this, Paul 
wrote another letter to them, (the second 
Epistle to the Corinthians) and sent Titus back with it. 

Titus seems to have been one of the chief men in 
collecting contributions for the relief of the poor in 
Offerings J^^^^* When he returned to Corinth, he con- 
tinued to make collections for Paul to take 
to Jerusalem in the near future.t 

The next we hear of Paul, he is m Corinth. While 
there he hears that the Galatians were saying that 

*II Cor. 7:6. 
tll Cor. 8. 



208 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



he was not an apostle because Jesus had not chosen 
him as one of the Twelve. So he wrote a letter to the 
Galatians in which he says, 

''I marvel that ye are so soon removed from 
Rfproi^d called you unto the grace of Christ 

unto another Gospel." 
Then he warns them against accepting any other 
Gospel, for if anyone preach any other Gospel, '^let 
him be accursed." 

Here he also wrote his epistle to the Romans. 
Paul prepared to go to Palestine direct from Cor- 
inth, but he heard of a plot to take his life. To frus- 
trate this, he retraced his steps through 

Retraces bteps -., ^ . , ^ *t 

Macedonia. Wlien the company agam 
reached Philippi, Timodiy and several others went 
ahead to Troas. Paul and Luke remained for a short 
time and then rejoined the company at Troas. 

A Long and Memorable Meeting 

When Sunday came, all the disciples "came to- 
gether to break bread," and Paul preached to them 
his farewell sermon. As he was to leave them in the 
morning, they persuaded him to continue his speech 
until midnight, which he did. 

The meeting was held in an upper room, the win- 
dows of which were all thrown open so the congre- 
gation could enjoy the cool of the evening. 

Sitting in one of the windows was a young man 
named Eutychus who listened to the sermon as long 
, ^ „ as he could, and then fell asleep. As 

hutycnus t alls -r* i • i i -n- i 

Paul contmued to preach, Lutychus con- 



Paul's Farewell Visit to the Churches 209 



tinued to nod, until finally he became overbalanced 
and fell into the courtyard below. No doubt a wom- 
an's scream first interrupted the sermon. The people 
sprang to their feet, and rushed below, and picked 
the young man up for dead. 

Restored ^^^^^ v^ent do^vn, and embracing the 
boy, said, 

"Trouble not yourselves for his life is in him." 

Thankful that the young man was restored, the peo- 
ple returned to the room, and Paul preached to them 
until morning. 

Paul's companions went by ship to Assos, but he 
preferred to walk the twenty miles alone. 

At Assos he went aboard the ship and sailed to 
Mitylene, thence to Chios, and the next day to Samos, 
about a mile from which they tarried at Trogy Ilium. 

On the next day, Paul sailed past Ephesus, think- 
ing that he would not have time to visit the saints there, 
At Miletus wanted to be in Jerusalem on the day 

of Pentecost. But when he reached Miletus, 
a few miles from Ephesus, he sent word over to the 
Elders of the Church to come to him. This they did 
v/ith all gladness, and listened with intense interest 
to his address to them."^ 

"And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down 
and prayed with them all." 

That little company of Christians assembled in an 
obscure place on the seashore presents to our minds 

*See Acts 20:17-35. 



210 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



one of the most beautiful pictures of the world, and 
their farewell greeting one of the most impressive 
and pathetic. 

When the beloved apostle was about to leave them, 
"they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and 
. ^ , „ „ kissed him ; sorrowing most of all for the 

A bad t areweU , i . i i i 99 t 11 

words which he spake. It seemed that 
they just could not bear to have him leave them. They 
clung to him even when he went aboard the ship, and 
it was with difficulty that his companions drew Paul 
from them. 

A similar scene was enacted at Tyre where the com- 
pany remained seven days. While Paul was visiting 
and comforting the saints here, they entreated him 
not to go up to Jerusalem, because his life would be 
in danger. But Paul could not be persuaded. 

When the time came to say "good-bye," the men, 
women and children all went with Paul and his com- 
pany down to the shore. Here they all kneeled down 
and prayed, and bade farewell "one of another." 
Then Paul and his companions entered the ship, and 
the sorrowing saints returned slowly to their homes. 

At Caesarea 

At Caesarea the missionaries were entertained by 
Philip, the evangelist, one of the seven chosen dea- 
cons. 

While they were there, Agabus, a prophet came 
down from Jerusalem and after greeting them all, 
took Paul's girdle, and bound his own 
hands and leet, saymg, 



Paul's Farewell Visit to the Churches 



211 



"Thus sayeth the Holy Ghost, so shall the Jews at 
Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and 
shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." 

Hearing this prophecy, Luke and all Paul's com- 
pany pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem. But 
Paul answered, 

"^'What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? for 
I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at 
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 

KeadytoVie ^.^^^^„ ^^.^ ^.^ fiends, "The will 

of the Lord be done." 

From Caesarea, they traveled by carriage to Jeru- 
salem, where the brethren received them gladly. 



LESSON 35 



EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN JERUSALEM 

'*In the huge mass of evil as it rolls and swells, there is ever some good 
working toward deliverance and triumph." 

At Jerusalem, Paul and his companions met with 
the Church and undoubtedly gave the money that had 
. „ , been ffiven by the Gentile Churches for 

At Headquarters ^ ^ r r ^ • t i a i 

the benent oi the poor m Judea. At the 
advice of James, the brother of the Lord, who was 
then presiding over the Church in Jerusalem, Paul 
shaved his head, and did certain other things to show 
the Jews that he was willing to observe the Jewish 
laws. 

When he had been in Jerusalem about a week, he 
went to the temple to worship. There happened to be 
„ , , ^ , also in the temple, some men who had 

t aiseLy Accused -r* i • a • • i i •! 

seen Paul m Asia with the Gentiles. 
Thinking that he had brought some of these Gentiles 
into the temple, they stirred up the people, seized 
Paul, and cried out, ''Men of Israel, help; this is the 
man that teacheth all men everywhere against the 
people, and the law, and this place; and further 
brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath pol- 
luted this place." 

Of course, this was not true, but it served to arouse 
the crowd, who dragged Paul out of the temple and 



Exciting Experiences in Jerusalem 



213 



shut the doors. In their rage they were about to kill 
Paul, which they would have done but for the timely 
interference of a Roman officer. 

Stationed in the castle north of the temple was a 
guard of soldiers under command of an officer called 
the "Chief Captain." 

When somebody told the captain, whose name was 
Claudius Lysius, that there was trouble in the outer 
court of the temple, he hurried the sol- 
Dmth'^^''''^ diers down there just as the mob began 
to beat and trample Paul to death. The 
soldiers rescued Paul; but the captain thinking he 
was a desperate man, commanded him to be bound 
with chains. 

"Who is this man, and what has he done?" Claudius 
asked of the angry Jews. 

Some cried one thing and some another in such con- 
fusion that the chief captain could understand noth- 
ing; so he said to the soldiers, "Carry him to the 
castle." 

As the soldiers bore Paul away, the mob, acting 
like wolves after their prey, followed, crying, "Away 
with him." Just as they were going up the 
Castle Steps ^^^P^ into the castle, Paul speaking in Greek 
said to the chief captain, "May I speak 
unto thee?" 

"Canst thou speak Greek?" answered the captain, 
"Aren't you that Egyptian who sometime ago made 
an uproar here and led out into the wilderness four 
thousand men that were murderers?" 



214 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



"I am a Jew from Tarsus," answered Paul, "a, city 
in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city, I beseech thee 
let me speak unto the people." 

Hoping to learn something about the cause of the 
uproar the chief captain gave his consent. 

Paul turned to the people and beckoned for them 
to be quiet. Their yelling ceased, especially when 
they heard Paul speak in Hebrew, their own 
language."^ 

The Jews listened to him quietly until he happened 
to mention the word ''Gentiles," then they 
^Gentile^' Cried, "Away with such a fellow from the 
earth; for it is not fit that he should live." 
In their anger, they took off their coats and threw 
dust in the air to show how they hated him. 

Being still in doubt as to what Paul had done, the 
chief captain ordered him brought into the castle 
, and whipped until Paul told why the 
Jews cried so agamst nim. As they 
were binding him to beat him, Paul said to the cen- 
turion who stood by. 

"Is it lawful for you to whip a man who is a Roman 
and uncondemned?" 

When the centurion heard this, he hurried to the 
chief captain saying, "Take heed what thou doest; 
for this man is a Roman." Then the chief captain 
came and said to Paul, 

*Read the entire speech as recorded in Acts 22:1-21. 



Exciting Experiences in Jerusalem 



215 



"Tell me, art thou a Roman?" 
"Yes," answered Paul. 

"With a great sum obtained I this freedom," said 
Claudius. 

"But I was a free bom Roman," proudly answered 
Paul. 

When they heard this, those who were going to tor- 
ture him hurried away from him, and the chief cap- 
tain, too, was troubled; for he knew he had no right 
to put chains on a Roman citizen who had not had a 
fair trial. 

Before Ananias the High Priest 

Next morning Paul was brought before Ananias the 
High Priest and the Council. 

"And Paul earnestly beholding the council said, 

"Men and brethren, I have lived in all 
good conscience bet ore God until this day. 
At this Ananias became so enraged that he said to 
those who stood by Paul, 
"Smite him on die mouth." 

"God shall smite thee, thou whited wall," answered 
Paul with sudden anger. "Sittest thou to judge me 
after the law, and commandest me to be smitten con- 
trary to the law?" 

Those who stood nearest Paul said, "Revilest thou 
God's High Priest?" Then Paul, getting control of 
„ , his feelings answered, 

lemper ControUea t i 1 i i i i 

1 did not know, brethren, that he was 



216 Ancient A postles — Paul 



the High Priest; for it is written, Thou shalt not 
speak evil of the ruler of thy people." 

Paul then noticed that in the council were two par- 
ties, some Pharisees and some Sadducees ; so by speak- 
Two Sects wisely of the resurrection, he won the 
Pharisees on his side, who said, 

"We find no evil in this man. It may be that an 
angel or a spirit has spoken to him." 

This made the Sadducees angry, the two factions 
got to quarreling and became so angry at each other 
that the chief captain fearing that they would tear 
Paul to pieces, commanded the soldiers to take him 
back to the castle. 

On the next night while Paul was still in the castle, 
the Lord stood by him and said, 

^. . ^ , "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast 

Divme Comfort tic • t i i 

testified oi me m J erusalem so must thou 
also bear witness at Rome." 

On the following morning about forty of these 
angry Jews bound themselves together by an oath, 

A Plot to Kill ^^^^^^^§ *^^y would neither eat nor 
drink until they had killed Paul. To ac- 
complish this, they said to the chief Priests, "we 
have bound ourselves under a great oath that 
we will taste nothing until we have slain Paul. Now, 
you ask the chief captain to bring him down to you 
tomorrow, as though you would inquire something 
more; and we, as soon as he comes near us, will be 
ready to kill him." 

But their plot became known to Paul's sister's son, 



\ 



Exciting Experiences in Jerusalem 217 

who hastened to the castle, and told his uncle all about 
it. After hearing his nephew's story, Paul called one 
of the centurions, and said, 

"Take this young man to the chief captain; for he 
^ , hath a certain thing to tell him." 

I he riot t rustrated rm • ti t i i*i 

Ine centurion did as directed and said 
to the chief captain, 

"Paul, the prisoner, called me to him, and asked 
me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath some- 
thing to say unto thee." 

"What is it thou hast to tell me?" asked the chief 
captain. 

"The Jews have agreed to ask you to take Paul to- 
morrow into the Council, as though they would in- 
quire somewhat of him more perfectly. But do not 
thou yield unto them; for there lie in wait for him 
about forty men, who have bound themselves together 
with an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till 
they have killed him." 

The chief captain believed the young man and said 
to him. 

"See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these 
things to me." The chief captain then called two cen- 
turions saying, 

"Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to 
Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred 
spearman. Tell them to be ready at nine o'clock to- 
night to take Paul safely unto Felix the governor." 

Claudius Lysias then wrote a letter to Governor 
Felix explaining, briefly, why Paul was being sent to 



218 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



him.'^ He also sent word to Paul's accusers to go 
to the Governor and make their charges known. 

When Paul, safe and sound, appeared before Felix, 
the Governor asked, 

A Caesarea "^^^^ province are you from?" 

"From Cilicia," Paul answered. 

"I will hear thee," said Felix, "when thine accusers 
are also come." 

Paul was then put in Herod's judgment hall until 
his trial five days later. 

Thus had Paul's life within the short space of a few 
days been twice preserved from those who wanted to 
- ^ . kill him. God had spoken to him, say- 

In Conp,nement . ,,-p. p 1199 iii 1 

mg. Be 01 good cheer, and although 
he was still a prisoner, there was peace in his soul for 
he knew he had done only what was right, and that 
God approved of his labors. 



*See Acts 23:25-30. 



LESSON 36 



TWO YEARS IN PRISON 

"I have a conscience void of offense toward God and all men." 

— Joseph Smith 

Before Felix 

Five days after Paul had been put in the Judg- 
ment Hall, the high priest Ananias and some of his 
elders came to Caesarea to appear against him. They 
brought with them a lawyer named Tertullus. 

Felix, the Roman Governor, summoned the pris- 
oner to appear before him to hear from the Jewish 
lawyer what things Paul had done. The hired lawyer 
began his speech by flattering Felix, to win his favor, 
and then charged Paul as follows: 

''This man is a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition 
among all the Jews throughout the world and a ring- 
leader among the sect called Nazarenes. 
Accused He has profaned the temple, and has done 
many other things for which he should 
be punished." 

And the Jews all cried out, 

''Yes, these things are true." 

When they had spoken, Felix motioned with his 
hand for Paul to speak in his own defense, which he 
did by saying : 

"As I know that thou hast been of many years a 



220 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



judge over this people, I cheerfully answer for my- 
„ „ ^ , self these charges of the Jews. Twelve 

Paul s Defense , ^ ^ i 

days ago, 1 went up to J erusalem to wor- 
ship; but I deny that I disputed with any man, or that 
I stirred up the people, either in the synagogues, or 
in the city. Neither can they prove the charges they 
make against me. 

"This, however, I do confess, that after the way 
which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my 
fathers, believing in the law and the prophets, and 
in the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and 
the unjust; and I try to live to have always a clear 
conscience void of offense toward God, and men." 

Paul spoke so earnestly and honestly that Felix was 
convinced he spoke the truth; and when he concluded, 
Felix knew he was innocent, but, for fear 
^aPrisoner^^ of displeasing the Jews, who, he could see, 
hated Paul, he told the officers to hold Paul 
a prisoner, but to give him his liberty, and to let his 
friends come to see him. So Ananias and Turtullus 
had to go back to Jerusalem without having seen Paul 
punished. They still hoped, however, to get him 
either scourged or killed. 

Several days later, Felix and his wife Druscilla, a 
Jewess, called Paul before them to hear more about 
this Christian doctrine. Unfortunately the 
^&mcma governor and his wife had not lived a good 
life; so when Paul "reasoned of righteous- 
ness, temperance, and judgment to come upon sinners, 
Felix trembled, and answered, 



Two Years in Prison 



221 



"Go away for this time; when I find it again con- 
venient to hear you, I will send for you." 

Felix was not a just judge, yet he wanted to dismiss 
Paul; but he hoped to get some money for doing it. 
7 7, .7 So he called the prisoner before him 

Offered a Bnbe . i i • i i • r -n i 

many times, and nmted that ii raul 
would give him money, he would free him; but Paul 
scorned the intimation to be bribed. 

So for two years Paul was kept in prison; but dur- 
ing that time, he no doubt preached the Gospel to 
many of his friends, and perhaps to many strangers 
as well. When Felix was released as governor, "will- 
ing to show the Jews a pleasure, he left Paul bound." 

Before Festus 

Felix was succeeded by Festus, who was a more just 
and honorable governor. Festus remained in 
Caesarea about three davs, and went up 
theme ^^^'^ visit Jerusalem. Then the chief 
priests and others tried to poison his 
mind against Paul, and asked that he might be brought 
from Caesarea to Jerusalem to be tried. It was their 
wicked plan to waylay Paul and kill him. 

But Festus answered, "The prisoner will be kept at 
Caesarea, and I will return there myself. Let some 
of your ablest men go down with me, and prove that 
this man is as wicked as you say" 

Ten days later, in Caesarea, Festus sat on the judg- 
ment seat, and summoned Paul before him. They 
again accused Paul of many wicked things, but could 



222 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



prove none of them. Paul again answered for him- 
self, saying, 

"I have done no wrong against tlie law of the Jews, 
. neither against the temple; nor against 

Laesar. 

Festus, desiring to please the Jews, and not know- 
ing that they desired to kill Paul, said, 

''Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there 
be judged of these things before me?" 

"I am standing in a Roman court, where I ought 
to be judged; I have not wronged the Jews, as thou 
very well knowest; and no man shall deliver me unto 
them. I appeal unto Caesar." 

Paul, you remember, was a Roman citizen; and 
therefore, had the right under the law to be tried at 
, , ^ Rome before Caesar, the emperor. 

AppeaL to Caesar ^ ^ r • • i i • 

restus, alter conierrmg with his coun- 
cil, said to Paul, 

"Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Then unto 
Caesar shalt thou go." 

So Paul was taken back to prison to await a favor- 
able opportunity to be sent to Rome. 

Before King Agrippa 

When Paul was blind just after his vision, the Lord 
said, "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name 
before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of 
Israel." Among the rulers to whom Paul preached 
the Gospel were King Agrippa and his sister Bernice. 
Agrippa, who ruled over part of the land on the east 
side of the river Jordan, paid Festus a visit; and the 



Two Years in Prison 



223 



Governor took occasion to tell the King all about 
Paul, how he had been left a prisoner by Felix; how 
the Jews had accused him, but failed to prove their 
charges; how he refused to go to Jerusalem; and how 
finally he had appealed to Caesar."^ 

Said Agrippa, "Festus, I should like to hear this 
man myself." 

"All right/' said Festus, "tomorrow thou shalt hear 
him." 

On the morrow, Agrippa and Bernice came with 
"great pomp;" which means, no doubt, that he dressed 
in his purple robes and she in her 

A Koyal Assembly i . i . n i i i • i 

bright jewels, and attended with serv- 
ants all dressed in gorgeous colors. It was a royal 
assemblage, and a royal occasion, but the most royal 
personage among them was the humble prisoner who 
appeared in chains to plead his innocence and the 
justice of his cause. 

The King, looking at Paul, with more curiosity 
than contempt, said, 

"Thou art permitted to speak for thyself." 

Then Paul, addressing himself principally to 
Agrippa, delivered a most impressive address as 
follows : 

"I think myself happy. King Agrippa, that I shall 
answer for myself, before thee, of all the things 
charged against me by the Jews; because 
AddTesr'''' I know that thou dost know all about the 
customs and the questions which are 

*Acts 25:13-22. 



224 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



among the Jews. I ask thee then, to hear me pa- 
tiently. 

"My manner of life from my youth, all the Jews 
know, for I lived among them; and if they would tell 
the truth, they would testify that after the most strict 
sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. And now I 
stand and am to be judged for the hope of the prom- 
ise made of God unto our fathers; that promise unto 
which our twelve tribes, constantly serving God day 
and night, hope to come. For this hope, King 
Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it 
be thought a thing which thou couldst not believe, 
that God should raise the dead? 

"At one time, I verily thought myself, that I ought 
to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of 
Nazareth; and this I did in Jerusalem: and many of 
the Saints I shut up in prison, having received au- 
thority from the chief priests; and even when they 
were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 

"And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and 
compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceeding- 
ly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto 
strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus 
with authority and commission from the chief priests, 
at midday, King, I saw in the way a light from 
heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round 
about me and them who journeyed with me. And when 
we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speak- 
ing unto me, saying, in the Hebrew tongue: 

" 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' 



Two Years in Prison 



225 



"And I said, 'Who art thou, Lord?' 

"And he answered, 'I am Jesus whom thou perse- 
cutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have 
appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a 
minister and a witness both of these things which 
thou hast seen, and of those things in which I will 
appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, 
and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 
to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness 
to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, 
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inherit- 
ance among them who are sanctified by faith that is 
in me.' 

"Whereupon, King Agrippa, I was not disobedi- 
ent unto the heaveny vision: but explained first unto 
them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout 
all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that 
they should repent and turn to God, and to works meet 
for repentance. 

"For these causes the Jews caught me in the tem- 
ple, and went about to kill me. 

"Having therefore obtained help of God, I con- 
tinue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, 
saying none other things than those which the proph- 
ets and Moses did say should come, that Christ should 
suffer, and that he should be the first to rise from the 
dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to 
the Gentiles." 



226 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Just at this point in his address, Paul was inter- 
. , . rupted by Festus, who cried, 

An Interruption ^ i i • i i ir i 

raul, thou art beside thyseli; much 
learning doth make thee mad!" 

But Paul said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus; 
but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 

"The king knoweth of these things, before whom I 
speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these 
things are hidden from him; for this thing was not 
done in a comer. King Agrippa, believest thou the 
prophets? I know thou believest." 

Then said Agrippa, "Almost thou persuadest me 
^ , , to be a Christian." 

Almost rersuaaea , ^ r>i i 99 i -n i 

1 would to God, answered Paul, 
"That not only thou, but also all that hear me this 
day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, 
except these bonds." 

After listening to PauFs great address, the king and 
his sister, and the governor withdrew to one side, and 
^, said that there was no cause to keep Paul 

bhouLd Be t ree , r i i i i 1 • 

a prisoner, tor he had done nothing 
worthy of death or of bonds. 

"This man," said Agrippa to Festus, "might have 
been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto 
Caesar." ^ 



LESSON 37 



THE VOYAGE TO ROME 



"If we acknowledge God in all our ways, he has promised safely to 
direct our steps, and in our experience we shall 
find the promise fulfilled." 



Paul's appeal to Caesar made it necessary for him 
to go to Rome, Italy, where the Roman Emperor lived. 

Accordingly, when all was in readiness, 
RomanCaptain passage on a ship secured, Paul and 
some other prisoners embarked for 
Rome. He was put into the charge of a Roman cap- 
tain named Julius, a man who proved to be a kind, 
honorable gentleman, and a true friend to Paul. He 
recognized that his apostle-prisoner was a great and 
good man, and possessed wisdom superior to that 
even of the wisest. Thrilling experiences happened on 
this voyage that proved to Julius that Paul was not 
only wise but also inspired of the Lord. No matter 
where Paul was, in whose company he was thrown, 
in peace or persecution, in prospect of life or threat- 
ened death, he was always the same earnest preacher 
of the Gospel — a true servant of his Lord and Master 
Jesus Christ. This is why even his enemies respected 
and feared him, and why Julius and other honest men 
admired and loved him. 

Two of Paul's true friends were with them, Luke 



228 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



the doctor and historian, and Aristarchus from Thes- 
^ . salonica. 

Companions .t i i r i 

bailing northward irom Laesarea, they 
stopped for a day at Sidon, where, through the cour- 
tesy of Julius, Paul went ashore to see his friends who 
On the Sea ^^^^ living there. What a happy and yet 

sad meeting that must have been! From 
Sidon, they sailed to the northwest, past the island 
of Cyprus, thence westward, past the shore of Asia, 
Minor. At Myra, a city of Lycia, Julius, the Cen- 
turion, found a ship sailing from Alexandria to Italy, 
so he transferred his prisoners from the ship of 
Adranythum to the one from Alexandria. This latter 
ship was loaded with wheat that was being taken from 
Egypt to Italy. 

For many days, the ship moved very slowly be- 
cause of a heavy wind, but at length it came to the 
. rr » islaud of Crete. They followed its 

1 he r air Havens , ., , ^ i i i n i 

snore until they lound a harbor called 
"The Fair Havens," near the city of Lasea. As it 
was not a very good place in which to spend the 
winter, the owner concluded to sail to another harbor. 

Paul Gives Warning 

As the sailing was dangerous, it being late in the 
season, Paul warned them not to leave, saying: 

"Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with in- 
jury and much damage, not only of the lading of the 
, . J rr, ship, but also of our lives;" and he 

inspired Warning ^ , , , , 

urged them to stay where they were 

for the winter. 



The Voyage to Rome 



229 



But the owner of the ship, believing Paul didn't 
know anything about sailing, said it was alright to 
go ; and the Centurion believing the owner of the ship 
had better judgment than Paul, consented to sail for 
sea again. 

The ships in those days were not like the steam- 
ships of today. They were ''rudely built and rigged; 

having one large mast, through whose 

Ancient o flips i i i i i 

head passed strong ropes; and one large 
sail. It was steered by two paddle-rudders. Easily 
strained and exposed to leakage, it was in danger of 
floundering; the way in which many ancient vessels 
were lost. Ropes were carried for binding the hull 
when weakened by storm. On the prow was a paint- 
ed eye, as if seeking direction and watching against 
danger. Its ornaments were figures of heathen divini- 
ties, to whom idolatrous and superstitious sailors 
looked for protection.'' 

Paul's judgment told him it was dangerous to at- 
tempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea in such a boat, 
and he knew by the inspiration of the Lord that, if the 
sailors attempted to do so, they would meet with dis- 
aster. 

There were two hundred and seventy-six persons on 
board as they weighed anchor at Fair Havens, and 
continued their journey The fair weather and favor- 
able wind gave promise of a successful and safe voy- 
age; and no doubt the sailors laughed at Paul for 
his fears. 



230 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



But suddenly all was changed. A strong wind 
sweeping do^vn from the mountains on the shore, 
. ^ „ . struck tlie ship and wheeled it around. 

A btorm Begins ^ ., ^ , , i • i 

Ine sailors were unable to control it, and 
the rudder was powerless to guide it. Behind the ship 
was a little boat, which they now pulled up on board; 
and as the ship w^as being threatened to be dashed to 
pieces, they bound it with ropes to keep it together, 
and if possible, to prevent it from leaking. 

But notvvithstanding all their efforts, the boat began 
to leak, and was driven out into tlie sea. It was tlien 

Shiv Threatened "^^^ ^^^^"^ the ship." 

btill the tempestuous wind and ram 
beat against tlie ship, and the danger of ship wreck 
increased every hour. The hours dragged on into 
days, and the hungry, stricken passengers and sailors 
paced terror-stricken day and night. On the third 
day, Luke says, ''We cast out with our o^vn hands 
the tackling of tlie ship;" by which we conclude tliat 
the ship was leaking so badly that even the passengers 
assisted in casting overboard everything tliat could 
be thrown. 

"And when neither sun nor stars in many days ap- 
peared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that 
we should be saved was then taken away." 

Even Luke, it seems lost heart, and was about to 
give up. 

"Without regular food — and what they had prob- 
ablv in a spoiled condition — drenched and cold, de- 



The Voyage to Rome 



231 



spair seized the whole company. But there was one 
exception — that was Paul. While others were losing 
hope, ^'he was engaged in earnest prayer." 
but^Onr^^^^ Neither discomfort nor danger, nor op- 
position to his counsels, nor these com- 
bined could disturb his calmness which was so un- 
like the fear and anguish about him. There was a 
great contrast between the reeling ship and his firm- 
ness; between the darkness, and the heavenly light 
within him; between bodily weakness and spiritual 
strength; between the despairing cries about him, and 
his calm voice; between the painted eye on the ship's 
prow, and the all-seeing eye upon him; between the 
ornamental images of powerless false gods, and the 
Almighty Ruler over all." 

In the midst of this despair and darkness, Paul 
arose, and said : 

"Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not 
have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm 
, „ , and loss. And now, I exhort you to be of 
good cheer: for there shall be no loss of 
any man's life among you, but the ship. For there 
stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, 
and whom I serve, saying. Tear not, Paul ; thou must 
be brought before Caesar; and lo, God has given thee 
all of them that sail with thee;' wherefore, sirs, be of 
good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as 
it was told me. But we must be cast upon an island." 

For fourteen days the storm lasted; and then one 
night the sailors thought they were nearing land. They 



232 Ancient Apostles — Paul 



sounded the depth and found the water twenty fathoms 
deep; then in a little while, they measured again, and 

found it fifteen fathoms deep, so they 
^tfEl'aie''^''' knew that land was not far away. 

They anchored the ship, and ''looked 
anxiously for the day." Then some of the sailors be- 
gan to lower the little boat, pretending to throw out 
more anchors, but really intending to forsake the ship 
and leave all on board to destruction. When Paul dis- 
covered their purpose, he said to the Centurion, 

"Unless these sailors stay in the ship none of us 
can be saved." At this the soldiers cut the rope and 
„ , ^ let the boat fall away, so the sailors 

raui btops 1 liem ^ rr 

could not get on. 
About daylight, Paul addressed the company again, 
and urged them to take food. "This is the fourteenth 
^ , 7 7 day," he said, "that you have ^one 

Comfort ana r ood . i r t 

Without eating, wnereiore, 1 pray you 
to take some meat; for this is for your health: for 
there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of 
you." 

He then took bread, and gave thanks in the pres- 
ence of them all : and when he had broken it, he began 
to eat. Encouraged by Paul's faith and assurance, 
they all broke their fast, and then lightened the ship 
by throwing overboard the wheat. 

As soon as daylight came, they could see land, but 
did not know what place it was. However, they saw 
a creek coming into the sea, and concluded they could 



The Voyage to Rome 



233 



run their ship safely into the bay. So they cut anchor, 
hoisted the sail, and struck for shore. 

As a climax of all disasters, the ship ran aground. 
The front end stuck fast in the sand and the rear part 
began to break in pieces. 

There was a Roman law which said a soldier must 
take a prisoner's place if the soldier permitted the 
Ship Wrecked P^^^^^^^ escape ; so the soldiers fearing 
the prisoners might swim ashore and escape 
asked the Centurion to kill all the prisoners while they 
were on board. But Julius, desiring to save Paul's 
life, refused to permit the prisoners to be killed. Some 
then swam ashore, and rendering help to others, suc- 
ceeded in getting every soul safe to land — not one life 
was lost, but the ship, just as Paul had foretold it. 

The island was Melita, just south of Sicily. 

The Power of God Manifest 

Luke says "the barbarous people showed us no lit- 
tle kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us 
everyone, because of the present rain, and because 
of the cold." 

Paul was busy helping to feed the fire, and to make 
it more comfortable for himself and others, when 
h v something happened that startled the na- 
tives. A viper crawled irom one 01 the 
sticks, and fastened itself on Paul's hand. When the 
people saw it, and knew how poisonous it was, they 
said: 

"No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he 



234 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance will not permit 
to live." 

Then they looked for him to swell up and die. But 
they were surprised to see that not the least harm came 
. , . , , to him. Then tliey changed their 

natives Astomsnea . , i • i i i 

mmds, and said he was a god. 
Undoubtedly, Paul told them who he was, and 
preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them. They 
, , were entertained by Publius, the chief 

Lrospei rreacnea ^ -, . -, , *^ , -, -, , , 

man oi the island, who also heard the 
Gospel, and saw the power of the Priesthood made 
manifest. His father was sick of fever, and very ill. 
Paul administered to him by laying on of hands, and 
he was instantly healed. The news of these miracles 
soon spread with the result that many who were sick 
''came to the brethren and were healed." 

"All these honored us with many honors," says the 
historian Luke, ''And when we departed, they loaded 
us with such things as were necessary." 

What a blessing to these people was the three 
months' sojourn of Paul and his companions, and with 
o J Y ^ 7 o what keen regret and sorrow they 

beeds oj 1 ruth bown , r, n i n 

must have said goodbye when the 
"Castor and Pollux," the ship from Alexandria, car- 
ried Paul away from them forever? It carried him, but 
not the truths he had taught. These would remain with 
them, and, if accepted, would bless them eternally. 



LESSON 38 



THE WORLD ENRICHED BY A PRISONER 
CHAINED 

"The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church." 

A few school boys, one day, met to debate the ques- 
tion, "Resolved, That there is more pleasure in Antici- 
pation than in Realization." One on the side that 

tried to prove that Anticipation gives more 
iTRmUzation pleasure, referred to every boy's experi- 

ence at Christmas time, saying that the 
day before Christmas and Christmas Eve always give 
more joy than Christmas itself — "As soon as the boy 
gets his toys, then he begins to regret that Christmas 
isn't tomorrow." 

That boy expressed in his simple way about the 
same thought contained in this sentence from Emer- 
son: "Man looks forward with smiles but backward 
with sighs;" or as another writer puts it, "What we 
expect is always greater than what we enjoy." 

Such may not be the case always in life; but it cer- 
tainly must have been Paul's experience in regard to 
his anticipated visit to Rome. For several years he 
had looked forward with pleasure to the time when he 
would have the opportunity to preach the Gospel in 
the famous capital of the great Roman Empire. But 



236 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



now as he approaches the realization of his hopes, he 
is an old man, worn with exposure and confinement, 
and a prisoner. 

However, we must not conclude that he was left 
comfortless, or that he had any less desire to bear 
testimony to the world of the divine mission of his 
Savior. On the contrary he continued to seize every 
opportunity to preach the everlasting Gospel. 

This he did when the "Castor and Pollux" or "The 
Twin Brothers," stopped eighty miles north from 
Malta, at a place called Syracuse, the ^ancient capital 
of Sicily. It is not unlikely that Paul asked 

Syracuse . . , , , , 

permission to go ashore and preach the 
Gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles who were in that 
celebrated city. If so, we are sure Julius would grant 
his request. At any rate, the Sicilians afterward 
claimed that Paul founded the Church on that island. 

His next important stop was on the northern part 
of the beautiful bay of Naples, where was situated a 
town named Puteoli ; now known as Pozzuoli, As the 
ship carrying Paul and his friends entered this har- 
bor, it was met by a crowd of people who had gath- 
ered to greet it. Among these were "brethren" who 
Puteoli ^^^^ welcome and comfort the missionary- 
prisoner. Perhaps through a desire of Julius 
to remain here long enough to communicate with 
Rome, or it may be through his kindness to Paul, the 
company remained at Puteoli seven days, thus giving 
the Elders an opportunity to spend a Sabbath day with 
the Saints in that place. How refreshing to PauFs 



World Enriched by a Prisoner Chained 237 



spirit to worship once again with those who pos- 
sessed the same testimony of the Gospel as he! 

Word having been sent ahead that Paul was on his 
way from Puteoli to Rome, many of the brethren in 
that city started out to meet the beloved and famous 
missionary. No doubt the saints in Rome realized that 
Paul's spirit as well as his body would be worn and 

weary, and, as true friends indeed, they 
Tr^Friends ^f^^ preparation to go to him. True 

friendship always prompts one to go to a 
friend in adversity rather than in prosperity. It may be 
that they desired only to give him a royal convoy into 
their city; for he was truly a royal personage even 
though bound in chains. Whatever their motive, some 
of the brethren traveled forty-one miles, and met their 
beloved Apostle at the Apii Forum. Another party met 
him at "Three Taverns" — thirty miles from Rome. 
Paul's heart was touched by this manifestation of 
friendship and true brotherhood, and he "thanked 
God, and took courage." 

When the company reached the renowned capital 
of the ancient world, it must have seemed to Paul like 
a huge prison; and when his friends parted from him 
to go to their own homes and he to his guarded place, 
rr J 7 his hcart must have been heavy indeed. 

Under Lruara ^-t t t i • n it i i . 

nowever, Julms kmdly delivered his 
prisoner over to the captain of the Pretorian 
Guard, the highest military authority in the city 
— the guard that had charge of all those who 
were to come before the Emperor for trial. 



238 



Ancient Apostles — Paul 



Foilmiately, Paul was not put in prison but permitted 
to dwell in a house by himself, under tlie constant 
guard of a soldier. Here he was given all the free- 
dom possible, to a prisoner; so, true to his energetic 
spirit, he found many opportunities to continue his 
preaching. This he would do first to the soldiers to 
whom he was chained daily. As they would frequent- 
ly relieve one another, he would have ample oppor- 
tunity to preach the trutli to many of tlie guards, and 
thus, probably, indirectly to the Emperor himself. 

He made occasion, also, to preach to the Jews. He 
called the chief men of tliis nation together and told 
them why he was tlien a prisoner. ''Though I have 
committed notliing against the people. 

Appeals to J eivs ^ r i 55 • i i - 

or customs oi our lathers, said he, "yet 
was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the 
hands of tlie Romans, who, when they had examined 
me, would have let me go, because there was no cause 
of deatli in me: but when the Jews spake against it. I 
was constrained to appeal unto Caesar. 

'Tor this cause therefore have I called for you, to 
see you, and to speak with you, because tliat for the 
hope of Israel I am bound with this chain." 

The Jews answered that they had heard notliing of 
evil against him; but "as concerning this sect (mean- 
ing die Christians), we know that ever\- 
M^ssagt''^ where it is spoken against." In fact, in 
Rome as elsewhere, the Jews rejected the 
Gospel message, and compelled Paul to turn to the 
Gentiles. 



Chained hv llie \\r'i>l t« 



b i. P a I L 

his soldier jiuaicl. in his own house, for two 
whoh" \ears. 



World Enriched by a Prisoner Chained 239 



For nearly eight hundred days, Paul remained a 
^, ^ , ^ , prisoner awaiting his trial before the 

I he Gospel bpreaas t\ ' i - i 

bmperor. Uurmg that time, he 
preached the Gospel to hundreds of soldiers who 
had one after another daily been appointed as 
guards. These, when converted, would convert 
others, and when sent off to Roman provinces, would 
spread the Gospel in new lands, thus widening the 
area in which the light of truth might shine. 

But that was not the only way in which it radiated 
from the humble abode of the missionary-prisoner. 
During that two years confinement, he kept in com- 
munication with the Churches in Europe and Asia. As 
there were no railroads, no steamboats, nor telegraph, 
every letter that he received or that he sent to them 
was carried by a courier, who had to travel very slow- 
ly by land and sea, sometimes for 
Sf'^^''"^^ hundreds of miles. But he had lov- 
ing friends attending him who were al- 
ways ready to bear his messages. Some of these you 
already know. Luke, the faithful physician; Timo- 
thy, his son in the Gospel; John Mark, who, you re- 
member, started with Paul and Barnabas on their first 
mission; Aristarchus of Thessalonica ; Epaphroditus, 
a friend from Macedonia; Onesimus, a slave belong- 
ing to Paul's friend, Philemon, and others. With these 
faithful servants as messengers, Paul wrote letters, 
called epistles, which have made the whole world bet- 
ter and richer in the knowledge of truth. These let- 
ters are now in the new Testament, and are called 



^ 



240 A ncient A po sties — Paul 

Epistle to The Philippians, Epistle to Philemon, 
Epistle to the Colossians, and Epistle to The 
Ephesians. 

Thus did Paul's epistles written in a Roman prison 
become literally "Winged messengers that can fly 
from east to west on embassies of love/' 

Certainty of what Paul did after his having been a 
prisoner in Rome for two years, ends with Luke's 
statement, that he "received all that came unto him, 
preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those 
Released ^^^^^S^ which conccm the Lord Jesus Christ 
with all confidence, no man forbidding him." 
It is believed, however, that he was finally given his 
liberty and that he preached in many lands, tradition 
saying that he even went to England. It is thought that 
it was during this Missionary tour that he wrote his 
first letter to Timothy, who had been appointed to take 
care of the Church at Ephesus, and also the one to 
Titus who was with the Churches on the island of 
Crete. 

About the year 64 A. D., however, he was again ar- 
rested and imprisoned in Rome. Only a year previous 
Again Arrested saints had been persecuted to death 
by the wicked Nero. They had been 
thrown into the Arena, devoured by wild beasts, 
burned to death as human torches, and martyred in 
other cruel ways. 

It was soon after the burning of Rome by this 
wicked emperor, that Paul, the most energetic of all 



World Enriched by a Prisoner Chained 241 



missionaries, after thirty years of constant service in 
Beheaded "linistry, was put to death by beheading. 

Just before the end came, he wrote to Tim- 
othy these beautiful and pathetic words: 

''I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my 
departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I 
have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Hence- 
forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at 
that day." 

As he bowed his head to receive the fatal stroke, we 
know that he could have said in very truth: 

"I feel my immortality o'ersweep all pains, all 
tears, all time, all fears; and peal, like the eternal 
thunders of the deep, into my ears this truth — thou 
livest forever!" 

Before the Royal he was kingly, 

In the prison, noble, true; 
In the tempest, mighty captain 

Of a terror-stricken crew. 

Sunless days nor nights of blackness, 

Prison chains — tempestous wave. 
Floundered ship nor deadly viper — 

Feared he not the yawning grave. 

"God's good angel stood beside me. 

His I am and Him I serve," 
This the secret of his power — 

Him from Right no power could swerve. 



APPENDIX 

SUGGESTIVE HELPS TO TEACHERS 



LESSON 1 

Aim: True greatness consists in losing self for the good of others, 

I. Great Men in General. 

1. Their influence. 

2. Boys' ideals. 

3. Chief element of greatness. 

(a) Absence of it brings failure. 

4. Specific examples. 

(a) Washington-Lincoln. 

n. Boyhood of the Twelve Obscure. 
1. Little known about it. 

HL How the Twelve Became Known. 

1. Highly favored of men. 

(a) Constant example of greatness before them. 

2. Why the world is interested in them. 

QUESTIONS 

1. Name some historical men and women in whom you are 
interested. 

2. Name some persons living today whose lives you admire. 

3. What is the secret of true greatness? 

4. Can you name some interesting incidents in Washington's 
boyhood? In Lincoln's? 

5. Why is there so little known about the boyhood of the An- 
cient Apostles? 

6. Why is the world interested in their lives today? 

7. Memorize stanza from Longfellow's Poem. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 243 
LESSON 2 

PETER: EARLY LIFE AND SURROUNDINGS 

Text: John 1:29-42. 

Aim: A humble birth is no hindrance to greatness. 

I. Land of Palestine. 

1. A comparison. 

(a) Utah Lake. Jordan River and Great Salt Lake with Sea 
of Galilee, River Jordan and the Dead Sea. 

2. Size. 

3. Galilee. 

4. Bethsaida. 

(a) Peter's birth place. 

II. Simon's Home and Boyhood. 

1. Very little known. 

2. Impressions drawn from what we know today. 

3. Effect of environment upon him. 

III. How Simon Met the Savior. 

1. A disciple of John the Baptist. 

2. John the Baptist's testimony. 

3. Andrew and John desirous of sharing happiness — 
(a) Find Simon and James. 

VI. Simon's Name Changed. 

1. Meaning of "Cephas." 

QUESTIONS 

1. Compare the Salt Lake Valley with the Land of Palestine. 

2. What does "from Dan to Beersheba" mean? 

3. Locate Bethsaida. 

4. Show how comparatively insignificant a place it was. 

5. What do you picture Simon's boyhood to have been? 

6. Relate the circumstances of his meeting Jesus. 

7. Name the other great men who were born in humble cir- 
cumstances. 



244 



Ancient Apostles 



LESSON 3 
A PERIOD OF PREPARATION 
Text: Matt. 4:18-22. Luke 4:31-44; 5:1-26. 

Aim: Obedience to Christ's word brings blessings. 
Incidental Aim: All who seek the Savior receive eternal blessings, 

I. Peter's Home in Capernaum. 

1. His idea of the Messiah somewhat changed. 

2. Jesus' influence upon Peter. 

3. The most distinguished in Capernaum, 
(a) Why. 

11. A Lesson in Obedience. 

1. Fishermen mending nets after a "Ashless' night.' 

2. Jesus' Command. 

(a) Effect upon Peter. 

3. Judgment and Faith. 

4. Peter's new commission. 

III. A Memorable Sabbath. 

1. Service in the synagogue, 
(a) How conducted. 

2. Railing of an evil spirit, 
(a) Rebuked. 

3. Peter's wife's mother healed. 

4. Afternoon and Evening. 

IV. Another Week. 

1. "All men seek Thee." 

2. A man sick of Palsy. 

3. Many miracles performed. 

V. Effect of Christ's Power Upon Peter. 

QUESTIONS 

1. What was the Jews' idea of a Messiah? 

2. How were Peter's visions clouded? 

3. Why did Peter move to Capernaum? 

4. Why was his home the most distinguished in Capernaum? 

5. What effect did the miraculous draft • of fishes have upon 
Peter? 

6. Relate wonderful manifestations of God's power that took 
place on the Sabbatah on which Peter's mother-in-law was 
healed? 

7. What effect did all these things have upon Peter? 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 245 

LESSON 4 
A SPECIAL WITNESS 
Text: Luke 6, 8; Mark 5, 6; Matt. 10:542. 

Aim: (1) One must conscientiously believe the truth before he can 
convince others of it. (2) Faith is a mighty power over sickness and 
even death, (3) To the sincere believer in Christ, death has no fear. 

Incidental Aim: 
I. Special Galling of an Apostle. 

1. A special witness. 

2. Meaning of "Apostle." 

II. The Twelve Chosen. 

1. Circumstances. 

2. Names. 

3. Peter's place. 

III. At Matthew's Feast. 

1. Jarius' plea. 

IV. The Affected Woman. 

1. Her faith. 

2. Jesus' response to touch of faith. 

3. Peter's remark. 

4. Made whole. 

V. In Jairus' Home. 

1. Little daughter dead. 

2. The mourners. 

3. Jesus offers comfort. 

4. The maid restored. 

VI. The First Missionaries. 

1. Their labors. 

2. Death of John the Baptist. 

3. Their return. 

(a) The miracle of five loaves and two fishes. 

Application: Hoiv can faith best be developed? Give specific duties 
in life of child. 



246 



Ancient Apostles 



LESSON 5 
PETER'S FAITH TESTED 
Text: Matt. 14; 15-33; John 6. 

Aim: A genuine faith in Christ remains firm in spite of the actions of 
men or the tempest of temptation 

1. Faith. 

1. Sincere faith. 

(a) Not easily swayed. 

2. Jesus eager to instill true faith. 

(a) Grieved when people do not possess it. 
1. His retirement for prayer. 

II. A Tempestuous Sea. 

1. Jesus sees Disciples battling with waves. 

2. Jesus walks upon water. 

3. Peter's faith. 

4. Peter's doubt. 

III. The Sermon on the Bread of Life. 

1. Why the people sought Jesus. 

2. People reject Christ. 

3. Jesus appeals to Twelve, 
(a) Peter's assurance. 

1. Belief and knowledge. 



LESSON 6 

PETER'S TESTIMONY 
Text: Matt. 15:21-39, 16. 

Aim: A testimony of the Gospel is the very foundation of the Church 

of Christ. 

I. At Tyre and Sidon. 

1. Reasons for this tour. 

2. Miraculous manifestations. 

(a) They syro-phcenecian woman. 

(b) The deaf man healed. 

(c) Four thousand fed. 

II. The Leaven of the Pharisees. 

1. Jesus' warning. 

2. The Disciples' lack of understanding. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 247 



III. At Caesarea Philippi. 

1. Jesus' question. 

2. The Disciples' answer. 

3. Peter's memorable testimony. 

(a) "Blessed art thou." 

(b) Given the "keys." 

4. Jesus fortells death. 

5. Peter's blind zeal, 
(a) Rebuked. 

Application: Determine what a child may do to obtain testimony 
of the Gospel, Purity of thought, obedience, prayer, service, etc. 



LESSON 7 

A MARVELOUS MANIFESTATION 
Text: Matt. 17:1-21; Mark 9:2-10. 

Aim: A testimony of the truth of the Gospel may be strengthened in 
many ways, but it cannot be obtained without purity and sincerity, 

I. On Mt. Hermon. 

1. The Holy Mount. 

(a) Location and splendor. 

2. Lessons in self-denial. 

3. Evening on the Mount. 

4. The transfiguration. 

5. Moses and Elias. 

6. Effect upon the three Disciples. 

II. Peter's Testimony Confirmed. 

1. By miracles. 

2. By seeing Heavenly beings. 

3. By inspiration. 

4. By testimony of the Father. 

III. At the Foot of Mt. Hermon. 

1. The afflicted boy. 

2. The Apostles baffled. 

3. The evil spirit rebuked. 

4. A contrast. 



248 Ancient Apostles 

LESSON 8 

LESSONS IN TRUE LEADERSHIP 

Text: Matt. 17, 24-27; 18, 21-35; 24-26; Luke 18:18-30. 

Aim: The true leader is he who renders the greatest kindness and the 
best service to his fellowmen, 

I. The Tribute Money. 

1. A comparison. 

(a) "From whom kings of earth receive tribute." 

(b) So children of Father should be free. 

2. Why paid. 

3. How obtained. 

II. A Lesson in Forgiveness. 

1. Peter's question. 

(a) By what prompted. 

2. The unmerciful debtor. 

III. The Rich Young Ruler. 

1. The reward of sacrifice. 

2. Necessity of humility. 

IV. The Barren Fig Tree. 

1. Why cursed. 

(a) Effect upon Peter. 

2. Power of faith. 

3. Necessity of keeping commandments. 



LESSON 9 
ON THE NIGHT OF THE BETRAYAL 
Text: Matt. 28; Mark 14; Luke 22-23. 

Aim: True greatness is shown in doing right when temptation is 
strongest; yielding to wrong always brings sorrow, 

I. The Last Supper. 

1. Peter and John's commission. 

2. The upper room. 

3. Christ's desire for the meeting, 
(a) Reason. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 249 



4. Jesus washes feet of disciple. < 
(a) Peter's protest. 

5. The betrayer. 

II. Loyalty as Peter Felt It. 

1. A new commandment. 

2. Peter's assurance of devotion. 

3. Christ's admonition and prophecy. 

III. Gethsemane. 

1. Christ's agony in the garden. 

(a) "Not my will but Thine." - . 

2. The Disciples' showing. 

3. The betrayal. 

(a) Peter's defense. 

(b) Peter's lesson. 

IV. Loyalty as Peter Acted It. 

1. His sleeping. 

2. His warning. 

3. His denial. 

4. His sorrow. 

Illustrative: It's easy enough to be pleasant when life flows by like a 

song" etc. 

Application: What opportunities come to us to defend the right? 



LESSON 10 

OUT OF GLOOM INTO LIGHT 

References: John 20; Mark 16; Luke 24; I Cor. 15:5. 

Aim: To realize one's weakness is to begin to gain strength; to see 
one's duty clearly is to have it half performed. 

Incidental Aims: The truths of the Gospel are more precious than the 
wealth of the world. Seeking to bless one's fellowman is more precious 
than to seek the riches of earth. Death, which is merely a change, has 
no terrors for the true follower of Christ, 

I. Peter in Solitude. 

1. Conditions intensifying his grief. ; ^ - 

2. His character in contrast with Christ's. • ^ 



250 Ancient A po sties 

II. The Apostles in Doubt as to Future Course. 

1. Peter and John together, 
(a) Determine to visit tomb. 

III. The Day of the Resurrection. 

1. Mary at the Tomb. 

(a) Her message to Peter and John. 

2. Peter and John at the Sepulchre. 

3. Christ's appearances. 

IV. Christ's Final and Definite Charge to the Twelve. 

1. At sea of Tiberias. 

(a) The fisherman made Shepherd. 



LESSON 11 

A TRUE LEADER AND VALIANT DEFENDER 

References: Acts 1:2. 

Aim: The Holy Spirit is mans greatest guide and comforter. 

Incidental Aims: (1) The Spirit of God gives peace and love. (2) First 
principles of the Gospel essential to salvation. 

I. Waiting for Fulfilment of Christ's Promise. 
1. Meetings in upper room. 

II. A New Apostle Chosen. 

1. Circumstances. 

2. Need. 

3. Manner. 

III. The Day of Pentecost. 

1. Holy Ghost given, 
(a) Effect. 

2. The Multitude. 

3. Peter's address. 

IV. At Solomon's Porch. 

1. The impotent man. 

2. The miracle. 

3. The address. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 251 



LESSON 12 

PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED 

References: Acts 3, 4, 5:1-12. 

Aim: The Spirit of God casts out fear and develops strength of 
Character, 

I. Peter Interrupted. 

1. By whom. 

II. Peter and John in Custody. 

1. Imprisonment. 

(a) Their probable feelings. 
1. Reasons. 

2. Before the council. 

(a) Peter's valiant defense. 

HI. Again With the Saints. 

1. Prayer of thanksgiving. 

IV. A Divine Rebuke. 5 
1. Sin of lying. 

LESSON 13 
PERSECUTED BUT UNDISMAYED 
Reference: Acts 5:12-42, 

Aim: Fearlessness in defense of the truth tuins the blessing of God 
and the respect of sincere men, 

I. Multitude Join the Church. 

1. Influenced by miracles. 

(a) Peter blessed with power to heal. 

II. En^vy of Chief Priests. 

1. Reason. 

2. Apostles thrust into common prison, 
(a) A miraculous deliverance. 

III. Befoore the Council. 

1. The Apostles' testimony. 

2. Gamaliel's defense. 

rV. Again at Solomon's Porch. 



252 



Ancient Apostles 



LESSON 14 
A SPECIAL VISIT TO SAMARIA 
Reference: Acts 6:1-6; 8:5-24. 

Aim: Only a righteous heart merits the companionship and guidance 
of the Holy Spirit, 

I. Seven Men Chosen. 

1. Reasons. 

2. How ordained. 

3. Office in the Church. 

4. Philip in Samaria. 

II. Reason for Peter and John's Visit. 

1. To confer the Holy Ghost, 
(a) Priesthood required. 

III. Simon the Sorcerer. 

1. Who he was. 

2. His craft. 

3. His avariciousness. 

4. Rebuked by Peter. 

5. His appeal. 

LESSON 15 
AT LYDDA AND JOPPA 
Reference: Acts 9:32-43, 10. 

Aim: He who seeks the Lord in faith shall not go unrewarded, 

I. Growth of the Church. 

1. Branches visited by Peter. 

II. At Lydda. 

I.Eneas. 

(a) His afflliction. 

(b) His restoration to health. 

III. At Joppa. 

1. Tabitha. 

(a) Significance of name. 

(b) Her devotion and service. 

(c) Sickness and death. 

(d) Her restoration to life. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 253 

IV. Cornelius and Peter. 

1. His military position. 

2. His popularity. 

3. Principles of the Gospel illustrated in conversion of Cornelius. 

(a) Inspiration. 

(b) Faith. 

(c) Repentance. 

(d) Baptism, 
(c) Holy Ghost. 



LESSON 16 
THE THIRD IMPRISONMENT 
Reference: Acts 12:1-19. 

Aim: Sincere prayer always brings a blessing. The blessing may be 
immediate or it may be remote, but it always comes in 
answer to the prayer of faith. 

I. Another Wicked Herod. 

1. Herod Agrippa. 

(a) Grandson of Herod the Great. 

(b) Nephew of Herod Antipas. 

2, Murderer of James, 
(a) Effect upon Jews. 

II. Peter's Imprisonment. 

1. Object. 

2. How guarded. 

3. Effect upon Saints. 

III. The Saints in Prayer. 

1. Those participating. 

2. At Mar>\s' 

IV. Peter's Deliverance. 

1. By whom. 

2. Details. 

V. Peter Joins the Praying Assembly. 

1. Rhoda. 

2. Surprise of the Saints. 

3. Peter's testimony. 

4. Peter's departure. 



254 



Ancient Apostles 



LESSON 17 

CLOSING SCENES OF A RIGHTEOUS MINISTRY 
References: Acts 15:1-35; Gal. 2:7-21. 

Aim: Obedience to the Gospel makes one fearless in defending the 
right and brings the greatest comfort at approaching death, 

1. Retrospective. 

1. Effect of ministry upon Peter's character. 

II. At the Council in Jerusalem. 

1. The disputation. 

2. Those present. 

3. Peter's testimony. x 

III. Peter Visits Different Churches. 

1. Incident at Antioch. 

IV. Traditions of Peter's Last Days. 

1. His imprisonment and death. 



LESSON 18 
JAMES, THE SON OF ZEBEDEE 

References: Matt. 4:21; 27:56; Mark 1:19; 15:40; Luke 9:52-54; 
Acts 12:1,2. 

Aim: The Lord chooses men from merit, and honors them only as they 

prove themselves worthy and capable of serving their fellow men, 
^^Honor is not a matter of any mans calling merely, but rather of his 
own actions in it," 

I. The Mother. 

1. Her devotion to Christ. 

2. Her pride in her sons. 

3. Effect upon sons. 

(a) "Happy he with such a mother." 

4. Her request of Jesus, 
(a) Effect. 

II. At Bethsaida. 

1. Jaimes' home. 

2. His trade. 

3. How he met Jesus. 

4. The call. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 255 



III. As One of the Twelve. 

1. How favored. 

(a) Relate incidents. 

2. His nature. 

(a) A son of thunder. 

3. His zeal. 

rV. Martyrdom. 

1. Time. 

2. By whom, 

3. His character as revealed at the trial. 



LESSON 19 

JOHN, THE BELOVED DISCIPLE 
WITH THE REDEEMER 

References: John 1:35-40; Mark 1:19, 20; Matt. 4:21,22; Luke 5:7-11 

Aim: A sincere heart wins God's favor and love, 

1. John's Leading Traits of Character. 

1. Humility — Modesty, 
(a) Illustrations. 

2. Zeal. 

3. Fearlessness. 

4. Love. 

II. His Early Life. 

1. A disciple of John the Baptist. 

III. His Call to the Ministry. 

1. The apostleship. 

IV. Memorable and Sacred Experiences. 

1. In the house of Jairus, 

2. The transfiguration. 

3. Preparation for Passover, 

4. The Last Supper. 

5. In Gethsemane. 

6. In the house of Caiaphas. 

7. The trials. 

8. At the cross. 

9. At the tomh. 

10. The Resurrection. 



256 



Ancient Apostles 



LESSON 20 
WITH PETER AND THE TWELVE 
References: John 21; Acts 3:1-12, 4:19-20, 8:5-14. See Epistes also. 
Aim: True greatness consists in losing self for the good of others, 

I. At the Sea of Tiberias. 

1. "Feed my Lambs." 

2. Peter's question about John. 

3. John's desire to live (Doc. and Gov., Sec. 7). 
(a) Purpose. 

II. True to His Trust. 

III. In the Ministry. 

1. At the Gate BeautifuL 

2. Imprisoned. 

3. Among the Branches. 

4. At the CounciL 

IV. His Teachings. 

1. Example. 

Application: How may one lose self for the good of others. Cite in- 
stances of true service. Show the value of concentration as 
illustrative of the principle of losing self, 

LESSON 21 

CLOSING SCENES OF HIS MINISTRY 

Aim: To love and serve one's fellowmen transforms one's nature and 
secures eternal life 

References: Epistles, Revelation. 

I. Eighteen Years Elapse. 

I. Records silent. 

II. At Ephesus. 

1. Importance of City. 

2. Traditions. 

in. At Patmos. 

1. Why there. 

(a) Persecutions. 

2. His revelation. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 257 



IV. Writings. 

1. Revelation. 

2. Gospel. 

3. Epistles. 

V. His Last Sermon. 

"Love one another." 



LESSON 22 

PAUL 
SAUL OF TARSUS 

References: Acts 8:1-4. 

Aim: Training and companionship are mighty influences in shaping a 
person s character 

I. Birth and Ancestry. 

IL Scholastic Training. 

(a) At Tarsus. 

(b) Under Gamaliel. 

in. A Roman Citizen. 

IV. A Persecutor of the Followers of Jesus. 

(a) His Bitterness. 

(b) Witnesses death of Stephen. 



LESSON 23 

SAUL'S CONVERSION 

Reference: Acts 9:1-22. 

Aim: ^'Sincerity of purpose leads to truths 

I. Saul's Enmity Toward Christians. 
(a) His zeal in persecution. 

II. His Journey to Damascus. 
(a) Purpose. 

III. His Vision. 

(a) The Lord's Message. 



258 



Ancient Apostles 



IV. Saul and Ananias. 

(a) Ananias' Mission. 

(b) Saul's acceptance of the Gospel Plan. 

LESSON 24 
IN ANOTHER SCHOOL 
Reference: Acts 9:22-31; 11:22-26. 

Aim: True intelligence and true happiness are found in the Gospel 
of Jesus Christ; or. Faith in the Gospel is the first step toward true 
know eld ge, and leads thru sacrifice, to wisdom and happiness. 

I. With Disciples at Damascus. 

1. Saul's teachers compared. 

2. Receives inspiration. 

II. In Solitude. 

1. Alone with God. 

2. Communion with Holy Spirit. 

III. Return to Damascus and Fught. 

1. Preaching. 

2. Friends and enemies. 

W. With Discsples in Jerusalem. 

1. Change after three years. 

2. How received. 

3. Persecution and flight. 

V. With Baranabas at Antioch. 

1. How called. 

2. His first appointment. 

LESSON 25 
SPECIAL MESSENGERS TO JERUSALEM 
References: Acts 11:27-30; 12:1-4-20, 25. 

Aim: A duty well performed is good preparation for the one to follow, 

I. Acabus the Prophet. 
I. His prophecy. 

(a) Its fulfillment. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 259 



II. The Christians at Antioch Send Relief. 

1. Their liberal contributions. 

2. Their messengers, 
(a) To whom sent. 

III. Conditions at This Time at Jerusalem. 

1. Persecution of the Saints, 
(a) Death of James. 

2. Imprisonment of Peter. 

3. Death of Herod Agrippa. 

IV. Barnabas and Saul Return to Antioch. 

1. Their ministry fulfilled. 

2. Meeting at Antioch. 

(a) Certain prophets and teachers. 

3. Their call; to go on a mission. 



LESSON 26 
FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY 
Reference: Acts 13:4-52; 14:1-6. 

Aim: Fearlessness in proclaiming the Gospel arouses the enmity of 
the sinful and ignorant, but wins the love of the sincere and righteous, 

I. On the Island of Cyprus. 

1. The journey thither. 

2. At Salamis. 

3. At Paphos. 

(a) Sergius Paulus. 

(b) Bar- Jesus. 

II. In Pamphylia. 

1. At Perga. 

(a) John Mark leaves his companions. 

III. In Pisidia. 

1. At Antioch. 

(a) A Sabbath in the Synagogue. 

(b) The following Sabbath. 



260 



Ancient Apostles 



IV. At Iconium. 

1. The city stirred. 

2. Persecution. 

LESSON 27 

FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY— (CONTINUED) 
AT LYSTRA AND DERBE 

Reference: Acts 14:6-28. 

Aim: Fearlessness in defending the right arouses the enmity of the 
ignorant and sinful, but wins the love of the intelligent and sincere, 

1. Lystra. 

1. A heathen city. 

2. People easily swayed. 

3. Timothy — Eunice — Lois. 

II. The Healing of the Cripple. 

1. The Miracle. 

2. Effect upon people of Lystra. 
(a) What they purposed to do. 

III. Protestations of Paul and Barnabas. 

1. Astonishment of the elders. - 

(a) Significance of rending clothes. 

(b) Their protestations. 

2. Effect upon people. 

IV. Paul Stoned. 

1. Circumstances leading up to it. 

2. Revived by disciples. 

V. Organization of Branches and Return to Antioch. 

1. Ordination of elders. 

2. Branches visited. 

3. Return journey. 

4. Welcome at Antioch. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 261 



LESSON 28 
A GREAT CONTROVERSY 

Text: Acts 15:1-35. 

Aim: The Lord will bless the sincere seeker after truth no matter what 
his nation or station in life, 

L Feelings Existing Between Jews and Gentiles. 

1. Jews in every principal city in Asia. 

(a) Kept own religion. 

(b) Mingled with Gentiles in business but not in religion 
and society. 

2. Illustrated by Peter and Cornelius. 

II. The Question Agitated in Antioch. 

1. Attitude of Paul and Barnabas. 

(a) Toward Gentile converts. 

(b) Gentiles not required to obey Jewish ceremonies. 

2. Attitude of "certain men" from Judea. 

(a) Gentiles must conform to Jewish ceremonies. 

(b) Their teaching in Antioch. 

3. Paul and Barnabas dispute with "certain men." 

III. Paul and Others Sent to Jerusalem. 

1. Purpose. 

2. Journey. 

IV. The First Great Council. 

1. Those present. 

2. The speakers. 

3. The decision. 

(a) By whom given. 

(b) How received in Antioch. 



LESSON 29 

PAUL BEGINS HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY 
Text: Acts 15:36-41; 16. 

Aim: Devotion to the Gospel brings inspiration from God, and leads 
others to obey the Truth. 

I. Paul and Barnabas Agree to Separate. 
1. Their disagreement over John Mark. 



262 



Ancient Apostles 



2. Paul chooses Silas. 

(a) Barnabas chooses John Mark. 

3. Their different routes. 

(a) Barnabas to visit churches on islands. 

(b) Paul to visit churches on mainland. 

II. In Syria and Cilicia. 

1. At Tarsus, his old home. 

2. At Derbe. 

3. At Lystra and Iconium. 

(a) The call and ordination of Timotheus. 

4. At Antioch in Pisidia. 

III. In the Province of Galatia. 

1. His sickness. 

(a) Affectionately cared for. 

(b) Results. 

IV. At Troas. 

1. A new companion. 

2. PauFs vision. 



LESSON 30 
AT PHILIPPI 

Text: Acts 16:12-40. 

Aim: The Gospel brings happiness to everyone who accepts it. 

I. Meeting by the Riverside. 

1. Kind of meetings. 

2. Who attended. 

3. Lydia, her conversion. 

II. The Damsel Possessed of Evil Spirits. 

1. Used for gain by her masters. 

2. Her testimony in madness. 

3. Rebuked by Paul. 

(a) Effect upon her masters. 

III. Paul and Silas Imprisoned. 

1. Accused before the rulers, 
(a) Nature of accusation. 

2. Condemned without a trial. 

3. Scourged and imprisoned. 

Application: Define Gospel — what does it mean to children? 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 263 



4. Their happiness in suffering. 

(a) How expressed. 

(b) Effect. 

IV. The Conversion of the Jailor. 

1. His fear and threatened suicide. 

2. "What shaU I do to be saved?" 
(a) Answer. 

3. He administered to the needs of the Elders. 

V. Paul and Silas Released. 

LESSON 31 
AT THESSALONICA AND BEREA 
Reference: Acts 17:1-15. 

Aim: To defend God and the truth in the face of opposition and per- 
secution is a sure manifestation of sincerity and greatness. 

I. Courage to Do Right. 

1. Influence of the Crowd. 

2. The Prophet Joseph. 

II. Thessalonica. 

1. How named. 

2. Name modified. 

3. One of the centers of war. 

4. The Missionaries work in Thessalonica. 

(a) With Jason. 

(b) Daily labor, 

(c) Persecution, 
(c) Escape. 

III. At Berea. 

1. Many converted. 

2. Silas and Timothy Remain. 

3. Paul escapes. 



264 



Ancient Apostles 



LESSON 32 

AT ATHENS 
Reference: Acts 17:16-34; 18:1-17. 

Aim: False ideas blind mens minds to the truth. True friendship and 
the inspiration of the Lord are among life's greatest blessings, 

I. The Only Christian in Athens. 
1. Paul's lonliness. 

11. What He Saw. 

1. Statues and Deities. 

(a) Of great men. 

(b) Of deified heroes. 

(c) To fame — modesty, etc. 

(d) "To unknown God." 

III. In the Market Place. 

1. A common meeting place. 

2. Paul's missionary work. 

3. Interest awakened. 

IV. On Mar's Hill. 

1. Why so called. 

2. Paul and the philosophers. 

3. Paul's great address. 

4. Paul's discouragement. 

V. Result of Paul's Visit. 
1. Conversions. 

VI. At Corinth — Close of Second Mission. 

1. Alone in Corinth. 

2. Aquila and Priscilla. 

3. In the synagogue. 

4. Jews reject truth. 

5. Crispus converted. 

6. Comfort and protection. 

LESSON 33 

PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY— FROM ANTIOCH 
TO EPHESUS 

Reference: Acts 18:22-28; 19. 

Aim: Authority is necessary to officiate in things pertaining to God. 
I. A Short Visit to Jerusalem. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 265 



II. Beginning of Third Missionary Tour. 

1. Tarsus. 

2. Other cities in order. 

3. Galatia. 

III. Apollos. 

1. Who he was. 

2. His eloquence. 

3. What he believed. 

4. His followers. 

5. What he lacked. 

6. Meets Aquila and Priscilla. 

7. Receives the Holy Ghost, 
(a) How bestowed. 

IV. The Seven Sons of Sceva. 

1. Who they were. 

2. Usurp authority, 
(a) Result. 

V. Demetruis, the Silversmith. 

1. What the annual festival meant to his craft. 

2. What Paul's preaching meant to it. 

3. The mob. 

(a) How dismissed. 

LESSON 34 

THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY— (CONTINUED) 
PAUL'S FAREWELL VISIT 

References: Acts 20:17-35, II. Corinthians, Galatians, Romans. 

Aim: Association with true followers of Christ develops the truest and 
dearest bonds of friendship. 

I. Disappointment and Worry. 

1. At Troas. Did not meet Titus. 

2. Worried over reports from Corinth. 

II. At Philippi. 

1. A joyous welcome. 

2. Depressed, 
(a) Reason. 

3. Arrival of Titus, 
(a) Effect. 

4. Second Epistle to Corinthians. 

5. Titus' special mission. 



266 



Ancient Apostles 



III. At Corinth. 

1. Epistle to Galatians. 

(a) Why written. 

(b) Only one Gospel. 

2. Epistle to Romans. 

3. Retraces steps, 
(a) Reason. 

IV. A Memorable Meeting. 

1. Where held. 

2. Eutychus incident. 

V. At Miletus. 

1. Paul's address to the Elders. 

(a) Earnest testimony. 

(b) Apostacy foretold. 

2. An affectionate farewell. 

(a) Reason for intense sorrow. 

VI. At Caesarea. 

1. A prophecy. 

2. Paul's determination. 

Application: The boys and girls who are cleanest in thoughts and 
words and deeds are the best companions — where can we find them? 

LESSON 35 
EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN JERUSALEM 
References: Acts 21:17-40; 22:23. 

Aim: God inspires and comforts those who serve Him. 

I. With James and the Brethren. 

1. At Headquarters. 

2. Compliance with Jewish rites. 

II. In the Hands of His Enemies. 

1. Falsely accused, 
(a) Circumstance. 

2. Threatened with death. 

3. Rescued. 

(a) By whom. 

III. With Claudius Lysias. 
1. Who he was. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 267 



2. On the castle steps. 

(a) Paul's request. 

(b) Claudius' answer. 

(c) Paul's testimony. 

(d) The word "Gentile." 

3. Ordered whipped. 

4. A free-born Roman. 

IV. Before Ananias the High Priest. 

1. A clear conscience. 

2. Smitten. 

3. Paul's retort. 

4. Self-control. 

5. Pharisees and Sadducees. 
(a) Paul's cleverness. 

V. Divine Guidance and Comfort. 

1. As given in vision. 

2. As shown in frustrating a plot to kill. 

3. In safe conduct to Caesarea. 

Application: We know how Paul served the Lord; hut in what man- 
ner may we serve him? Specify, 

LESSON 36 
TWO YEARS IN PRISON 
Reference: Acts 24:25:26. 

Aim: An assurance of the truths and a clear conscience make a man 
fearless and give him peace even in affliction and persecution. 

I. Paul Before Feux. 

1. Ananias and Elders. 

2. Falsely accused. 

3. Paul's defense. 

(a) A clear conscience. 

(b) His testimony. 

4. Before Felix and Druscilla. 
(a) Paul condemns sin. 

II. Paul Before Festus. 

1. Change in governorship. 

2. A wicked attempt to lay plot. 

3. Charges and denial. 

4. Appeal to Caesar, 
(a) Reason. 



268 



Ancient Apostles 



III. Paul Before Agrippa. 

1. Circumstances leading to. 

2. A royal assembly. 

3. An impressive address. 

(a) An interruption. 

(b) Almost persuaded. 

4. Agrippa's decision. 

Application: Strive to be on the right side of every question. A testimony 
comes by right living; a clear conscience by doing what 
one believes to be right. 

LESSON 37 
THE VOYAGE TO ROME 
Reference: Acts 27, 28:1-15. 

Aim: The inspiration of God gives power, supreme judgment, and 

divine peace. 

1. Paul and the Captain. 

1. In Julius' charge. 

2. Wins captain's respect, 
(a) How. 

II. The Beginning of the Voyage. 

1. Paul's companions. 

2. Out from Caesarea. , 

3. At Sidon. 

4. From Sidon to "The Fair Havens." 

III. Paul Gives Warning. 

1. By inspiration. 

2. Fair weather seems to make Paul in error. 

3. The storm. 

(a) Its intensity. 

IV. Shipwrecked. 

1. The tempestuous storm, 
(a) All in despair but one. 

2. A prophecy. 

3. Sailors attempt to escape. 

4. Comfort and food. 



V. 



On the Island of Melita. 
1. Power of God manifested, 
(a) EfTect upon natives. 



Appendix: Suggestive Helps to Teachers 269 



2. The Gospel preached. 

3. The farewell. 

Application: IT hut kind of life must one live in order to receive i7> 
spiration from God? Specify deeds applicable to daily life of class, 

LESSON 38 

THE WORLD ENRICHED BY A PRISONER CHAES'ED 

Reference: Acts 28:11-31. Philippians, Phileraon, Colossians, 
Ephesians. 

Aim: By injustice and sin, men may hinder God's work for a time, 
but He ivill eventually overrule, even mens acts to accomplish His 
purposes. 

Discouragement sometimes follows the performance of duty, but 
that is because one cannot forsee the harvest from the seeds duty 
has sown. 

I. From Melita to Rome. 

1. The "Castor and Pollux"— "Twin Brothers." 

2. At Puteoli — 180 miles north from Rheguim. 

(a) Met Brethren. 

(b) A sabbath "vdth the saints. 

(c) Kindness of Julius. 
II. On the Road to Rome. 

1. Met by friends and saints. 

(a) At Apii Forum — 41 miles from Rome. 

(b) At "Three Tavems"^ — 30 miles from Rome. 

(c) Effect upon Paul. 

III. Paul a Missionary in Chains. 

1. Delivered to captain of guard. 

(a) Permitted to dwell by himself. 

2. Chained to a soldier each day. 

(a) Gospel spread among soldiers. 

3. Preaches to Jews in Rome. 

4. Letters to the Churches. 

(a) Now read by all the world. 

IV. Imprisoned and Death. 

1. Probable visit to Churches. 

2. Imprisonment. 

(a) At time of Nero. 

3. His death. 

Application: (1) Better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. (2) False 
accusations cannot injure character. The Gospel of Jesus Christ can- 
not be overthrown or given to another people. 



INDEX 



Agabus, a Seventy, 150. 

His prophecy, 210. 
Agora, 192. 
Agrippa, 223. 
Alexander, the Jew, 204. 
Alexandria, 200. 
"All men seek thee," 22. 
Ananias, 83, 142, 219, 
Andrew, 

brother of Simon, 10. 

sees Jesus, 12. 

hears Jesus in synagogue, 20. 
sees healing of Peter's mother- 
in-law, 21. 

chosen an Apostle, 26. 
Anticipation, 235. 
Antioch in Pisidia, 158, 165. 
Antioch in Syria, 165. 
Apollos, 200. 
Apostles, 

boyhood of, 4. 

most favored men, 5. 

why known, 5. 

chosen, 25. 

sent on mission, 30. 

return and meet near Caper- 
naum, 31. 

witness feeding of five thou- 
sand, 32. 

attend Matthew's feast, 27. 
see Christ walk on the water, 36. 
go to Tyre and Sidon with 
Christ, 39. 

see blind man healed, 40. 

hear Peter's testimony, 41. 

hear Christ fortell His death, 43 

at Caesarea Philippi, 46. 

attend Passover, 57-62. 

see Christ after the crucifixion, 

69. 

choose a twelfth member, 74. 



receive the Holy Ghost, 75. 

preaching in Jerusalem, 75-90. 

imprisoned, 86. 

freed miraculously, 87. 

beaten and released, 90. 

accept Saul, 148. 
Aquila, 195. 
Areopagus, 193. 
Aristarchus, 204, 228. 
Athens, 191. 
Authority 

necessary, 175. 

usurped, 202. 

Baptism, 

ordinance of Gospel, 77. 
Bar-Jesus, 156. 
Barnabus, 

helps Paul, 147. 

goes to Tarsus, 149. 

set apart as missionary, 154. 

on mission with Paul, 155. 

chooses Mark, 173. 
Bartholomew (see Nathaniel) 
Beersheba, 8. 
Berea, 185, 189. 
Bethabara, 12. 
Bethsaida, 9. 
Betrayal of Christ, 63. 
"Birds' Nests," 3. 
Bonfire, a big, 203. 
Boy, the aflflicted, 49. 
Bread of life, 37. 

C^sAR, Claudius, 151. 
Caesarea Philippi, 41, 46, 219. 
Canaan, land of, 8. 
Capernaum, 8. 

home of Peter, 16. 
Carlyle, quoted, 2. 



272 



Index 



Cenchrea, 195. 
Cenneroth, sea of, 8. 
Cephas (see Simon), 13. 
Christians, first called, 108. 
Church, agitated, 168. 
Claudius Lysius. 213. 
CoRNEUus, 98, 152. 
Controversy, a great, 166. 

settled, 171. 
CoNON, tlie Admiral, 192. 
Corinth, 195. 
Corinthians II., 207. 
Courage, 185. 
Crispus, 196. 
Crucifixion, after the, 67. 
Cyprus, 155. 

Damaris, 194. 

Dan to Beersheba, 8. 

Dead Sea, 7. 

Deaf man healed, 40. 

Death, 47. 

Debtor, the unmerciful, 53. 
Deities, 192. 
Demetrius, 204. 
Demosthenes, the orator, 192. 
Denial, Peter's, 64. 

foretold by Christ, 61. 
Derbe, 160. 
Diana, 203. 

Did>Tnus (see Thomas). 
Dionysius, 194. 
Dorcas, 96. 
Druscilla, 220. 

Earthquake, 181. 
Eidersheim, quoted, 21. 
Elders, 165. 
Elias, 47. 

Elymas, the sorcerer, 156. 

Eneas, 95. 

Epaphroditus, 239. 

Epistles >\Titten, 239. 

Epistle, II. Thessalonians, 197. 

Epistle to Romans, 108. 

Epistle to Galatians, 108. 



Eutychus, 208. 
Evil spirit, 

contrasted with good, 50. 

rebuked, 180. 
Excommunications, 207. 

Failure, of men, 3. 
Faith, 34-37, 56. 

power of, weakened. 36. 
Famine, 150, 151. 
Farewell, a sad, 210. 
"Feed my sheep," 72. 
Felix judges Paul, 219. 
Festus, 221. 
Fig tree, tiie barren, 56. 
Firmness, 185. 

First principles of Gospel, 76-7 

Fishers of men, 19, 24. 

Five thousand fed, 32, 

Forgiveness, 53. 

Four thousand fed. 40. 

Gains. 165, 204. 
Gaggitas, river, 178. 
Galicia, 175. 
Galilee, 9. 
Galilee, sea of, 8. 
Galileans, 11. 
GaUio. 197. 
Gamaliel, 136. 
Gennesareth, lake of, 8. 
Gentiles, 167, 212-214. 
Gethsemane, garden of, 62. 
Gift of tongues, 201. 

received by Apostles, 75. 
God, the unknown, 192. 
Gospel, only one, 208. 
Gospel plan, Peter's diflBculty 

comprehending it, 26. 
Great men, influence of, 1. 
Greatness, 

how achieved, 3. 

humble birth no hindram 

to, 13. 
Great Salt Lake, 7. 
Grecians, confounded, 148. 



Index 



273 



Hebrews, land of, 8. 
Herman, Mount, 41, 45. 
Heroes, true, 186. 
Herod, 102, 152. 

dies, 106. 
High priests, 170. 
Holy Ghost, 75. 

how conferred, 201. 
Holy land, 8. 
Holy Mount, 45. 
Humility, 55, 59. 

Iconium, 160. 
Ideals, boys', 2. 
Immortality, 4. 
Israel, land of, 8. 

Jail, a Roman, 181. 

Jailor baptized, 183. 

Jairus, 27. 

Jairus' daughter, 28. 

James (the less) 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 
renders decision, 171. 

James (son of Zebedee), 13. 
hears Christ in Synagogue, 20. 
sees healing of Peter's mother- 
in-law, 21. 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 
sees raising of Jairus' daugh- 
ter, 29. 

witnesses the transfiguration, 47 

called to the ministry, 115. 

"son of thunder," 116. 

is executed, 117. 
Jason, 187. 
Jesus, 

with John the Baptist, 13. 
changes Simon's name, 13. 
His coming not spectacular, 15. 
preaches on shores of Gali- 
lee, 17. 

His miracle of the draught of 
fishes, 18. 

is rejected from Nazareth, 19. 
preaches in Synagogue, 20. 



rebukes evil spirit, 20. 
preaches in Galilee, 23. 
heals the palsy, 24. 
prays on the mountain, 25. 
attends Matthew's feast, 27. 
heals the afflicted woman, 28. 
raises Jairus' daughter, 29. 
instructs Twelve, 31. 
feeds five thousand, 32. 
is offered the crown, 35. 
walks on the water, 35. 
speaks on the bread of life, 37. 
takes Twelve to Tyre and 
Sidon, 39. 
heals deaf man, 40. 
feeds four thousand, 40. 
foretells death, 43, 
rebukes Peter, 43. 
teaches the Apostles at Caes- 
area Philippi, 46. 
pays tribute, 51. 
teaches Peter forgiveness, 53. 
at the Passover, 57-62. 
is betrayed, 63. 
appears to the Apostles after 
the crucifixion, 69. 
appears to Peter and John at 
Galilee, 70. 
Jews, 166. 

John (son of Zebedee) 
sees Christ, 12. 

hears Christ in Synagogue, 20. 
chosen as Apostle, 26. 
sees raising of Jairus' daugh- 
ter, 29. 

witnesses the transfiguration, 
47. 

attends the passover, 57-62. 
meets Peter after the cruci- 
fixion, 67. 

sees Jesus at Galilee, 70, 124. 
at Jerusalem, 75-90. 
is arrested, 80, 126. 
his character, 118, 128. 
called to the ministry, 120. 
at the trial and crucifixion, 122. 



274 



Index 



is allowed to live till the sec- 
ond coming, 125. 

goes to Samaria, 127. 

attends important council, 127. 

in Ephesus, 129. 

condemned to death, 130. 

banished to Patmos, 130. 

writes Revelation, 131. 

his old age, 132. 
John the Baptist, 11. 

with Christ, 12. 

beheaded, 31. 
JONA, 9, 13. 
Joseph Smith, 185. 
JosEPHUs, quoted, 9. 
Judah, land of, 8. 
Judas (see Lebbeus) 
Judas Barsabas, 171, 172. 
Judas Iscariot, 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 

attends the Passover, 57, 62. 

betrays Christ, 63. 
Julius, 227. 
Justus, 197. 

Keys of the Kingdom, 43. 

Law, an ancient, 51. 
Laying on of hands, 175. 
Leaven, of Pharisees and Sad- 

ducees, 40. 
Lebbeus, 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 
Lincoln, Abraham, 4. 
Loneliness, 191, 195. 
Longfellow, quoted, 1. 
Lucius of Cyrene, 153. 
Luke, 

at Philippi, 178. 

embarks for Rome with 

Paul, 228. 
Lycaonia, 160. 
Lydia, 179. 
Lystra, 160, 161. 

Macedonia, 186. 



Manean, 154. 

Manhood, true, personified by 

Christ, 66. 
Magistrates humbled, 184. 
Mark, John, 151-153. 

mission with Paul, 155. 

returns, 158. 

goes with Bamabus, 173. 
Market place, the, 192. 
Mars' Hill, 193. 
Matthew, 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 

gives a feast for Jesus, 27. 
Matthias, 

chosen as Apostle, 75. 
Meeting, a memorable, 208. 
Melita, 233. 
Miletus, 209. 
Mission, 

Paul's first, 155. 

Paul's second, 172. 

Paul's third, 199. 

Apostles sent by Christ, 30. 
Mob, a howling, 204. 
Moses, 47. 

Nathaniel 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 
Nazareth, Jesus rejected from, 19. 
Neapolis, 177. 
Nephew, Paul's, 216. 
Nicanor, 91. 
Nicholas, 91. 

Oath, a wicked, 216. 

Obedience, Peter's first to 

Christ, 17. 

result of, 18. 
Offerings, 150, 207. 
Offices in primitive church, 91. 
Onesimus, 239. 
Ordination, 175. 

Palestine, 8. 
Pamphylia, 157. 
Parmanas, 91. 



Index 



275 



Passover, the, 57-62. 
Patmos, isle of, 130. 
Paul, 

birthplace, 133. 

schooling, 134. 

religion and nativity, 135. 

occupation, 136. 

holds the coats of Stephen's 

murderers, 138. 

persecutes the Saints, 139. 

his revelation, 141. 

his conversion, 142. 

is taught in the school of 

Christ, 144. 

goes into solitude, 145. 
flees from Damascus, 146. 
preaches in Jerusalem, 147. 
is called to assist Barnabus, 
148. 

his first definite assignment, 149. 

is set apart as missionary, 154. 

first missionary journey, 155. 

at Cyprus, 155. 

at Salamis, 155. 

at Paphos, 156. 

strikes Elymas blind, 157. 

in Pamphylia. 157. 

in Pisidia, 158. 

in Iconium, 160. 

at Lystra, 160. 

stoned, 164. 

at Derbe, 165. 

goes to Jerusalem, 169. 

second missionary journey, 172. 

visits his old home, 173. 

sick in Galicia, 175. 

at Traos, 176. 

a vision, 176. 

at Philippi, 178. 

rebukes evil spirit, 180. 

scourged and imprisoned, 180. 

released, 184. 

in Thessalonica, 186. 

persecuted, 188. 

at Berea, 189. 

leaves for Athens, 190. 



welcomed by Philippians, 206. 

rescued, 213. 

on steps of castle, 214. 

a freeborn Roman, 215. 

smitten in mouth, 215. 

comforted, 216. 

before Felix, 218. 

falsely accused, 219. 

his defence, 220. 

held prisoner, 220. 

preaches to Felix and Druscil- 

la, 220. 

appeals to Caesar, 222. 
preaches to King Agrippa, 223- 
226. 

embarks for Rome, 227. 

warns the sailors, 228. 

a storm begins, 230. 

prophesies, 231. 

stops sailors from escaping, 

232. 

saved, 233. 

is bitten by a viper, 233. 
preaches in Melita. 234. 
met by friends, 237. 
preaches while under suard, 
237. 

rejected by Jews, 238. 
writes epistles, 239. 
released, 240. 
arrested again, 240. 
beheaded, 241. 
Perga, 157. 

Persecutors punished, 198. 
Peter, 

birth of, 9. 

parents, 9. 

home, 9. 

boyhood, 10. 

hears John the Baptist, 11. 
sees Christ, 12. 
name changed, 13. 
Jesus' influence over, 16. 
home, 16. 

pulls up the draught of fishes. 
18. 



276 



Index 



hears Jesus in the Synagogue, 
20. 

sees Jesus heal his wife's 

mother and others, 21. 

is chosen as an Apostle, 25. 

his difficulty in comprehending 

the Gospel plan, 26. 

sees the afflicted woman healed, 

28. 

sees the raising of Jairus' 

daughter, 29. 

goes on first mission, 31. 

returns and meets with Jesus, 

31. 

sees the five thousand fed, 32. 
walks on water, 36. 
goes to Tyre and Sidon with 
Twelve, 39. 

sees the four thousand fed, 40. 

his testimony, 41. 

is rebuked, 43, 

at Caesarea Philippi, 46, 

witnesses the tranafiguration. 47. 

realizes death is but a change. 

47. 

pays tribute money, 51. 
is taught forgiveness, 53, 
attends the Passover, 57-62. 
at the betrayal, 63. 
acquires strength out of weak- 
ness, 66. 

meets John after the cruci- 
fixion, 67. 

sees Christ with the other ten, 
69. 

sees Girist at Galilee, 70. 
receives Holy Ghost, 75. 
speaks in tongues, 75. 
heals the lame man, 78. 
arrested, 80, 
imprisoned, 86, 

his miraculous deliverance, 87, 
goes to Samaria, 91, 
at Lydda, 95, 
at Joppa, 96. 

raises Tabitha from death, 96. 



his vision, 99. 

teaches Gentiles, 100. 

imprisoned by Herod, 103. 

delivered by an angel, 104. 

his character, 107. 

justifies the Gentiles, 109. 

visits all churches, 110. 

his death, 110, 112. 
Pharisees, 40. 
Philip of Bethsaida, 91. 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 
Philippi, 178. 
Pisidia, 158. 
Pleasure, palaces of, 3. 
Plot, frustrated, 217. 
Pozzuoli, 236. 

Presidency, of Twelve, 170. 
Priscilla, 195. 
Prochorus, 91. 

Prophets from Jerusalem, 150. 
Publican, 26. 

Publicans and sinners, 27. 
Purity, 48. 
Puteoli, 236. 

Realization, 235. 

Repentance, principle of Gospel, 
77. 

Revelation, Church built upon, 42. 
Rhoda, 151. 

Rock, Peter's testimony strong 
as 42. 

Romans, Epistle to, 208. 
Roman, a freeborn, 215. 

Sadducees, 40. 
Sal amis, 155. 
Salome, 113, 
Saloniki, 186, 
Salt Lake Valley, 7. 
Samaria, 92. 
Samothracia, 177. 
Sapnhira, 83. 
Saul (see Paul) 



Index 



277 



ScEVA, sons of, 202. 
Sea, a tempestuous, 35. 
Self-denial, 46. 
Sergius Paulus, 156. 
"She is not dead, but sleepeth," 
29. 

Sidon, land of, 39. 
Sign Posts, 2. 
Silas 

travels from Jerusalem with 
Paul, 171. 

goes on second mission with 
Paul, 173. 

(see Paul's second journey) 
Simon, "the Cannanite" 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 
Simon the sorceror, 93. 
Sincerity, 48. 
Smith, Joseph, 185. 
Sodom and Gomorra, 31. 
"Solomon's Porch," 78. 
Solon, the law giver, 192. 
Sonship, 51, 52. 
Statues, 192. 
Stephen, 91, 137. 
Syracuse, 236. 

Syro-Phoenician woman, 39. 

Tabitha, 96. 
Tax-gatherers, 52. 
Tennyson, quoted, 113. 



Tertullus, 219. 

Testimony, Peter's sources of, 48. 

Peter's memorable, 41. 
Thaddeus (see Lebbeus) 
IL Thessalonians, 197. 
Thessalonica, 186. 
Thomas 

chosen as Apostle, 26. 
Tiberias, sea, 8. 
Timon, 91. 
Timothy, 162. 

ordained, 175. 

goes to Galicia, 175. 

at Philippi, 178. 

at Berea, 190. 
Titus, 170. 
Tribute money, 51. 
Transfiguration, the, 47. 
Troas, 177. 
Tyre, land of, 39. 

Utah Lakej, 7. 

Vision, 
Peter's, 99. 
Paul's, 176. 
Cornelius', 98. 

Washington, George, 4. 
Woman, the afflicted, 27. 
Woman, the gentile, 39. 



\ 



M 151 82 M 




^ Deacidified using the Bookkeeper pi . ^ 

• * JT7>x^'* Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 

>. kJ^wJ/^^ * Treatment Date; May 2006 

PreservationTechnologies 

k^v ' A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATIC 

^ ^ - <5 ^♦^^a* 1 1 1 Thomson Park Dnve 

^ *V #^ • ^ Cranberry Township. PA 16066 

V ^♦iiJj* ^ (724)779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




017 788 466 2 m 



